What Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Tells Us About Human Accomplishment and Motivation

By Aaron M Spelling

July 2, 2022

minutes remaining


 

What is success?

What does it take to become an accomplished individual?

How do you ‘win’ at this game called life?

There are many answers to these questions, but one of the most compelling is the theory put forward by the psychologist Maslow. Maslow stated that humans have several needs to fulfill to be truly happy and accomplished and that the most successful people in the world are those who reach the top of the pyramid.

Those needs are:

  • Physiological – Food, water, warmth
  • Safety – Shelter, lack of danger
  • Belonging and love – Relationships, community, and love
  • Esteem – Pride, status, feelings of accomplishment
  • Self-actualization – Sense of growth, purpose, meaning, and creativity

In other words, the most pertinent and pressing needs that humans must account for are those most basic ones. Without food and water, we will die.

But having food and water does not make you happy or fulfilled.

Also important is community. This is why some of the most unhappy people in the world are those who feel alone. There are few things worse than being isolated and alone at Christmas.

But even if you have family, friends, and love, you still won’t reach your full potential if you have no sense of meaning, growth, or purpose.

This is why so many people are depressed even when they seem to ‘have it all. You can be happily married, have a good job, and have a sense of family and community. You can even like yourself.

But if you don’t feel like your life has meaning – if it isn’t going anywhere, you won’t be truly content.

This is a big problem for a lot of us because growing is painful. The only way to grow is to challenge ourselves and get outside our comfort zones.

And this is what too many of us are reluctant to do. Why would you quit your job when you have a warm bed and a loving family? Why would you hit the gym?

Why would you go on a long expedition?

Too often, self-actualization appears to run counter to our physiological needs. But until you learn that self-actualization should trump all your other needs, you won’t be truly fulfilled and happy and won’t have met your true potential.



DFY - Ready Made Blog Setups

Ready to profit from in less than 24 hours





TV Channels | Apps | Skills | Websites | Hosting

Development | Management | Monetization | Promotion




The Next Step in Brand Building

Tap into MASSIVE TV advertising revenue! Launch your TV channel!

Roku and Amazon Fire TV