Maslow Hierarchy of Needs to Achieve Your Full Potential
We all have the capacity to achieve our full potenital. However, whether we are able to do so is strictly dependent on our environment. In this article, we will illustrate Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and what it can teach us about being able to self-actualise, enhance our wellbeing and overall help us conduct a more balanced life.
The theory behind the pyramid
Before delving into the hierarchy of needs, let's discuss the theoretical principles behind it. According to Maslow, individuals are fundamentally good and positive and their ultimate goal is self-actualisation, i.e. achieving one’s full potential and becoming the most we can be. The characteristics of someone that achieve self-actualisation are:
A desire to achieve full potential at a deeper psychological level
Strong moral values such as ethic, truth and justice
Acceptance of oneself and the world in a non-judgmental and critical way
An irresistible need to develop
Ability to tolerate uncertainty
Ability to look at things more objectively
High creativity
Desire for greater human welfare
Deep appreciation of basic life experiences
They can build deep and satisfying relationships with only a few people in their lives
Maslow believed that each one of us is able to self-actualise, however, only a few people can reach this peak as humans are profoundly influenced by their environment.
The Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow believed that human’s needs are hierarchical. The most basic levels include physiological needs, while the higher levels involve more intellectual and creative needs. Only when these needs are met, the self-actualisation can happen.
The pyramid consists of 5 levels:
Physiological needs
There are basic survival needs, such as food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, and so on. If these are not satisfied, we won’t be able to function properly, and basically do anything else.
If I were your therapist, the first thing I would check is whether you are getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep, drinking enough water every day, staying physically active, and generally meeting your basic needs. Think of it as setting a strong foundation; without it, it's tough to focus on anything else.
Safety needs
Once an individual’s physiological needs are satisfied, the need for security and safety becomes salient. Safety needs can include personal and financial security, stable employment, and social order. Feeling safe and secure reduces stress and allows you to focus on higher-level needs.
To create a sense of safety in your life, you could work on budgeting, ensure your living environment is safe, and secure a stable job. Additionally, creating routines can help by making your life predictable and, consequently, more manageable. For more on this, see my article on how to build a morning routine.
Love and belonging
Having met our physiological and safety needs, the third level consists of love and a sense of belonging. This refers to our emotional needs for interpersonal relationships, connectedness, affiliation and, in general, being part of a group or a community. Example can include friendships, intimacy, trust, acceptance, and giving and receiving love and acceptance.
In order to meet this need, it is important to make sure to spend time with our family, friends, and loved ones in general. In addition, we also need to dedicate our energies to nurture these relationships and engage in community activities.
Maslow categorises physiological, safety and love and belongingness needs as"deficiency needs", which emerge from deprivation and represent mere means to an end. The more these needs are deprived, the stronger our motivation to pursue them will be. We can finally move to those needs defined as "growth needs". These pertain to the psychological sphere, associated with achieving full potential through intellectual and creative behaviours. Growth needs do not stem from a lack of something, but from a desire to grow as a person.
Esteem
The first of the growth needs is esteem, which refers to the typical human desire to be accepted and valued from others. This level is about achieving things that lead to self-respect and recognition. Maslow classifies esteem needs into two categories:
esteem for oneself, which includes dignity, achievement, and independence;
the desire for reputation and respect from others, which includes status and prestige.
To meet this need, set and pursue personal and professional goals, celebrate your achievements no matter how small, and seek opportunities for growth.
Self-actualisation
At the top of the hierarchy, as previously mentioned, is the need for self-actualisation. This is the desire to achieve your full potential and become the best version of yourself.
To fulfil this need we need to dedicate some time to understand what meaning we want to give to our life, and what do we ultimately want to achieve. A starting point could be to discover and pursue your passions, whether it's a hobby, a creative project, or learning something new. All of these can help us grow and find deeper fulfilment.
lessons from maslow’s pyramid
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs highlight the importance of taking care of our most basic needs first, in order to achieve our full potential. Physiological needs, in particular, are at the bottom of the pyramid, literally keeping the pyramid together. It is easy to understand why: we wouldn’t be able to function in our everyday lives, let alone achieve our goals, if these needs are not addressed first.
We can also use Maslow’s principles for different aspects of our lives. For instance, when planning your finances, budget to cover physiological needs first, then allocate funds for a safety net before thinking about social activities.
PRACTICAL ADVICES
The first thing we can do to start your self-fulfilment journey, is a life audit. You can assess where you stand in relation to Mallow’s hierarchy of needs by rating each aspect from 1 to 10. This will reveal how well we are addressing those needs, and will also help us notice whether there is any action we need to take to fulfil them in a better way.
In general, some things we can all do in our everyday life to live a more balanced life are:
Prioritise basic needs: ensure adequate water intake, a healthy diet, restful sleep, and regular exercise.
Foster security and stability: establish routines, habits, and financial security.
Cultivate relationships: nurture meaningful connections with others.
Set realistic goals: define achievable objectives and regularly review them.
Identify and pursue your passion: engage in activities that give you fulfilment, enjoyment, and that are in line witht your values (more on how to find and live in alignment with your values in this article)
Reflect and grow: learn from your experiences to foster personal development and self-improvement.
Practice self-care: regularly dedicate some time in your day to practice activities that address your physical and mental healht.
Conclusion
By understanding and applying Maslow’s theory, we can strive towards our full potential. Success in this journey heavily depends on our environment and the fulfillment of our needs. By addressing our basic needs first and gradually moving up, we can create a balanced and fulfilling life. Remember, all aspects of well-being are interconnected. Therefore, if you're struggling with your mental health, ensure your physical health is taken care of as a foundational step.
References
https://www.simplypsychology.org/masl...