Hey, what’s up. So for several years, I’ve been experimenting with a bunch of different
pursuits in order to discover more about what my purpose is and how to truly live up to
my potential, whatever that means. For a while I figured that this is just your classic quarter
life uncertainty, but over time, I realized that there are many of us out there who are
striving to achieve a greater degree of self-actualization.
Stick around to the end of the video to find out more about how to self-actualize and become
the best version of yourself. Plus, look out for the Disney references sprinkled throughout.
Self-actualization is the complete realization of one’s potential, and the full development
of one’s abilities and appreciation for life.
In other words, self-actualization can generally be thought of as the full realization of one’s
creative, intellectual, and social potential through internal drive versus through external
rewards like money, status, or power.
One of the most famous minds who worked with the concept of self-actualization was psychologist
Abraham Maslow who contextualized his theory of self-actualization within a hierarchy of
needs. Basically, this means that there is believed to be a progression of needs that
each person meets in order to ultimately find self-actualization:
It looks like this - The first is Physiological needs: These include
needs that keep us alive, such as food, water, shelter, warmth, and sleep.
Then there is Safety needs: The need to feel secure, stable, and unafraid.
Then, Love and belongingness needs: The need to belong socially by developing relationships
with friends and family. Then there’s Esteem needs: The need to feel
both (a) self-esteem based on one’s achievements and abilities as well as (b) recognition and
respect from others. And ultimately you reach your Self-actualization
needs: The need to pursue and fulfill one’s unique potentials.
Now, many people are familiar with Maslow's hierarchy of needs, in which he argued that
basic needs such as safety, belonging, and self-esteem must be satisfied (to a reasonable
healthy degree) before being able to fully realize one's unique creative and intellectual
potential. However, while this pyramid model can provide
some general guidance on the path toward self-actualization, it does have some limitations. For example,
plenty of people lack adequate food and shelter, but still maintain strong relationships and
respect others.
Although, Maslow's emphasis was less on a rigid hierarchy of needs, and more on the
notion that self-actualized people are motivated by health, growth, humanitarian purpose, and
the "real problems of life.", I don’t feel that it’s completely necessary to progress
along each dimension in order to start living life to its true potential. In fact, our hierarchy
of needs is better illustrated by this graph where our needs kind of overlap with each
other at the same time. This essentially shows that there isn’t a systematic way of trying
to live upto your fullest potential.
I think it’s important to highlight that there are some of us out there who experience
what’s known as The Jonah Complex, which is fear of success because it could allow
you to recognize your own talent and ability. I don’t really think that is all that common,
but it is something to be aware of especially if you find yourself getting in the way of
your own happiness and fulfilment.
Self-actualization does not mean living the perfect life devoid of problems. In fact,
far from it. It just means that you are able to recognize your limitations and work on
them, and your strengths and build on them. In fact, Maslow later added another dimension
to motivation, which was called Transcendence. This is my personal favorite. It’s the level
where you are about to find complete actualization beyond your own gain. This is where you strive
to give yourself to something beyond yourself. To try and make the lives of others around
you better. Essentially living a purpose-driven existence.
Now at this point, You might just want to know how to actually become the best version
of yourself? Well, there really isn’t a script for this. You essentially have to determine
what that means for you and what your fullest potential is. True self-actualization may
be more of a long-term (even lifetime) goal than a quick road to self-improvement. That
said, working towards developing your purpose and striving for excellence is a great way
to lead a more fulfilling life.
We all hold different values, desires, and capacities. As a result, self-actualization
will manifest itself differently in different people. One person may self-actualize through
artistic expression, while another will do so by becoming a parent, and someone else
will do it by starting a business. In my opinion, it is an admirable goal to work toward. If
you live your life with purpose and authenticity and show concern for others aside from just
yourself, you’re likely headed down the right track.
I hope that you enjoyed this video and it gives you some idea of whether self-actualization
is something you’d like to pay attention to. At the end of the day, greater self-awareness
and perspective on what fulfils you will always help. Don’t forget to leave me a Thumbs
Up and subscribe to the channel as part of your journey towards transcendence. Thanks
as always for watching. My name is Vihan Chelliah. I’ll see you next time.