In 1943, American psychologist Abraham Maslow presented us with a hierarchy for human needs.
Named ‘Maslow’s hierarchy of human need’, it’s purpose was to provide us with a ‘standard model’ for human motivation.
Maslow does this with the use of a pyramid.
As you can see, the pyramid is broken up into 5 steps. The most basic need for human existence sit at the bottom. Without those, those are what we would be chasing. It includes basic needs for existence. Food, water, warmth and some form of sewage system.
Safety comes next. Makes sense.
And then comes belonging. For a percentage of the population, this is it. This brings them contentment. Having met those needs, the person is satisfied, happy and fulfilled. They are not wealthy and they are not poor. They have their loved ones and those are the true sources of happiness for them. Completely satisfied.
The next step on the pyramid is where self esteem comes. These are the people who need to be recognised and respected for their achievements. Only after doing so do you reach a state of serenity.
And finally we have self actualisation. Here are the people who have the best of everything and have completely developed their potential and become the best they can be. They know it. They have found what they believe to be their purpose for existing.
This leads to my question and purpose for this thread, where do you land on that pyramid? Are you content with being on the third step? Or are you driven and motivated and enough to reach the state of self actualisation.
By no means is this model perfect. Far from it. But let’s accept it.
Good topic. As Cough says model isn’t perfect. It assumes you have bottom layer and then go to the next layer on top. In actuality some can have top layer but may not have good social life.
Accepting the model per Coughs suggestion, except for bottom layer, could use wotk in each area.
Nobody is every at one stage. Your entire life is about all five stages, the priority just changes over time. Marriage is a perfect example. Its not about the basic level. Its about love and companionship but can you have that without some freedom from basic necessities?
You don’t have to be 100% complete in one to be able to do anything in the levels above. Obviously if it’s completely sorted then you can focus more on higher levels but that’s rarely the case.
As I tell the wife… Feed me woman, I hafta focus and sort out the destiny stuff..
But then she says the same back..,.. Arghh..,.freaking independent, smart wise ass woman!!
