Are we somehow driven to be the best that we can be?
In the field of psychology, a theory was put forth in 1943. It contends individuals are motivated to fulfill their potential in life. It is called Self-actualization. All of this from a psychologist named Abraham Maslow.
These types of theories always seem to be put forth by people with names like Abraham Maslow. They never come from Ernie Ledbetter, or Melvin Fargenswaller.
Its always, Pavlov. Maslow. Kasparov. Winslow. And on.
Anyway, it states self-actualization falls within the hierarchy of other our basic needs. Maslow says there are four “lower” human needs that must be fulfilled.
Here is how they go. From the lowest to the highest.
• Physiological needs: These include needs that keep us alive, such as food, water, shelter, warmth, and sleep.
This is a big rung on the ladder for me. In fact, I can hang out here all day long. All of these with a heavy emphasis on food.
• Safety needs: The need to feel secure, stable, and unafraid.
Okay, this one is huge for me too. I lock doors. I live by “Safety is No Accident.” My Dad burned that one in my brain.
• Love and belongingness needs: The need to belong socially by developing relationships with friends and family.
This is highly important to me. Although, I am highly introverted. This one ranks higher with extroverts, I believe.
• Esteem needs: The need to feel both (a) self-esteem based on one’s achievements and abilities and (b) recognition and respect from others.
Again, another key thing for my well being. Heck, if I’ve run the vacuum cleaner, I’d like someone to say, “Nice sweeping patterns in the carpet, Polly.”
And then, of course,
• Self-actualization needs: The need to pursue and fulfill one’s unique potentials.
(This, I’m sure, varies with each Joe.)
When Maslow originally explained this stepladder of needs, he stated that higher needs generally won’t be pursued until lower needs are met. However, he added, “a need does not have to be completely satisfied for someone to move onto the next need in the hierarchy.” I have to interject, once again, saying it is difficult for me to do anything of merit, when I am hungry or tired.
There’s a lot more to it.
Maslow believed that very few people would successfully become self-actualized. Or if they try, they would only do so in a limited capacity. This is because we get all hung up in the first four steps. Again, I reference the one about food, and sleep. Yum. Zzzzzz.
However, there are those certain folks who can successfully self actualize. And those people share certain characteristics. He came up for a very nifty term for these achievers. Get this. He called them “self-actualizers.” Okay, he doesn’t get high marks for creativity. I would have called them the Sparkle-Toes.
According to Maslow, self-actualizers “share the ability to achieve peak experiences, or moments of joy and transcendence.” He said that anybody can have a peak experience. But those self-actualizers — those Sparkle Toes — have them more frequently.
There are common characteristics too. They tend to be “highly creative, autonomous, objective, concerned about humanity, and accepting of themselves and others.” And finally, Maslow contended that some people are simply not motivated to self-actualize. (I believe this one, for sure.)
I found all of this incredibly interesting. And I plan on exploring this more.
But for now, I have to go fix an egg salad sandwich. All this writing about self-actualizing has made me hungry.
And sleepy.
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“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
― Rumi
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“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.”
― May Sarton
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“A self is not something static, tied up in a pretty parcel and handed to the child, finished and complete. A self is always becoming.”
― Madeleine L’Engle, A Circle of Quiet
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