Self-Actualization: Will I Ever Achieve It?
Ever since learning many years ago about psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs, I have strived for the top rung: self-actualization. Every once in a while I measure how my life is going according to the chart (above) and whether I have the stuff I need to be happy and self-actualized.
Most baby boomers have a lot of their lives squared away — the job, the spouse, the kids, the grandchildren, etc. I’m a baby boomer, but I still feel like a work-in-progress. A late bloomer. Especially when I acknowledge that I’m still busy scaling the Maslow pyramid.
physiological needs
safety needs
love and belonging
esteem
self-actualization
And you? Are you fully evolved?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:03 am
I have Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs listed in my “Things I Don’t Understand” in my sidebar… mainly because I worry that I’ll never have “self-actualization” (something that I’m striving for), because some of the things listed lower are things I no longer WANT. I don’t look at that chart very often, because it’s depressing.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Les: The lower thing you don’t want? I mean, it’s stuff like food and a warm place to sleep.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:13 am
I’m not sure what self-actualisation is. I feel quite busy and fulfilled – is that the same?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Oh, I have just enlarged the pyramid. I think I feel I can claim some of those features but not sure if it’s “enough” to count!
October 16th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Most definitely still climbing. Almost there. But still climbing.
(Would love to swap links. Thank you.)
October 16th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
It’s my opinion that chart does more harm than it does good, for it places “things” and “achievements” in almost a caste system. In reality, many of those goals are realized together. Further (as a Psychologist myself) we can drive you nuts with charts.:) Life and it’s achievements or failures just can’t be flow charted into a static form, like power point presentations.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
I think I jumped from the yellow part right to the purple part, bypassing green altogether…
October 16th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
I think it’s more that my impressions of what “family” and “friends” are/should be no longer seem to fit with any of the people I used to consider “family” and “friends”. The way things are – well, they’re damaging. So I don’t want them. Where’s does that leave me as far as “self-actualization?” Um… confused. LOL!
October 16th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Well, I feel I’ve achieved everthing in the chart, so I guess it’s OK for me to expire now.
October 16th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Is anyone ever fully evolved? Personally I don’t think so. Life is a ‘work in progress’ and doesn’t stop until we draw our last breath.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Dang, I don’t think I’ve even gotten to the first part of the pyramid! Talk about a work in progress and then some! I feel like I haven’t achieved anything at all. How sad.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
I’m content with life, and my life in particular. That pretty well sums it up. I’ll let others determine if I’m self-actualized, or not.
Your position in (on?) the pyramid isn’t static, if I recall correctly. As an example, I think Dennis Kozlowski, who might have been the very definition of “self-actualized” at one point in time, is pretty near the bottom at the moment. At the VERY least I would imagine he’s fairly preoccupied with his safety needs.
And Rhea… Nice blog! Thanks for stopping by my place today.
October 17th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Here’s all I can say about this:
If you think (decide) you are unhappy, you’ll always be right.
If you think (decide) you are happy, you’ll always be right.
Pick.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Elaine, I agree, we can change for as long as we live.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Well, this is pat of my lecture for next week when we discuss the Motivation and Emotion chapter in Intro Psy. My take on being self-actualized? I think that if you are able to reach that rung you may as well be dead, after all what else is there is you have achieved it all?? Hmmmmm.
October 17th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Keep on, Keepin on, Keeping on…
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:59 am
I have been chasing it…. I hope I accurately know what it is though! I suppose it implies using all the gifts that lie inside of me. I am 49 and many time I think I have not even opened the gift wrapping of some of the gifts I have. What a pity – the party might soon be over!
I don’t know where you stand and what your discoveries are. Would be happy to hear…..
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Despite the annoying physical realities, I find that the older I get the more I love and appreciate life. When you realize that your days are ultimately numbered, the main point seems to be to enjoy where you are, and try to make a positive difference in the life of others.