The ideal starting Point For Your Journey maslow's hierarchy of needs

We always need a starting point for any task we undertake in life. When learning to reverse around a corner, the task is more demanding if you get the car's initial positioning wrong. Improving your life is no different, and Maslow's Hierarchy of needs is an excellent way of putting things into perspective.

In 1943, American Phycologist Abraham Maslow created the 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs model to help people understand the motivations for human behaviour. The model maps different motivations onto a pyramid; each level represents a different human need, including physiological needs, safety, love, belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualisation.

Maslow believed that people could only achieve the needs at the higher end of the pyramid once they had needs in the lower levels covered. He stated, "Fulfilment in life results from meeting the needs at all five levels".

To become a whole person, we need to meet all our basic needs; if we work hard and neglect our health, we are more likely to get ill. And how often have you heard people say, "I left because he/she was always at work."? Spending quality time with our children, taking them to school and watching them grow is priceless. They're not young forever! 

Imagine being stuck in a hot desert for hours when you come to a cold water dispenser. Which glass of fresh cold water tastes the best, the first or the third? The law of diminishing returns!

These include physical needs that humans must meet to survive, such as:

• food
• water
• sex
• warmth
• shelter
• sleep

Depending on the person, it might include:

• living or working in a safe environment
• having a stable and sufficient source of income
• feeling protected from crime or abuse
• being in good physical health with no serious illnesses

• making friends
• giving and receiving affection
• emotional intimacy
• feeling accepted by loved ones
• 
  

The things a person needs to have good self-esteem include:

• self-worth, which is when a person feels they have value
• competency, which involves feeling skilled or knowledgeable
• dignity, which is feeling worthy of respect
• independence, which, in this context, means a person feels they can do things for themselves

Esteem from others may involve gaining:

• respect from peers
• acknowledgement for one's achievements
• status or prestige
• fame or reputation

Maslow stated that the healthiest form of esteem comes needs to earning. Long-term esteem is unlikely to be met by Celebrity status, which is often false and short-lived.

The highest need is self-actualisation, knowing and understanding one's self and reaching their potential. 

Self-actualised people find motivation in growth and possibility rather than trying to gain something they lack. 

Other characteristics may include:

• realistic perception of reality
• acceptance of imperfections
• flexibility and spontaneity in pursuing goals
• autonomy and responsibility
• consistent and strong morals
• appreciation for life
• creativity

Being self-actualised only sometimes results in a person having no problems and always being happy. Maslow described self-actualisation as an ongoing process of enjoying the journey rather than the end destination.