28. Maslow 5 - Self Actualization


Self-actualized people are those who are fulfilled and doing all they are capable of. The growth of self-actualization, coined by Maslow in 1962, refers to the need for personal growth and discovery that is present throughout a person's life. For Maslow, a person is always 'becoming' and never remains static in these terms.


Maximizing Your Talents and Potential

Learn the art of being present and celebrate the small wins. Be kind and remember the importance of what we achieve everyday, rather than being too focused on achieving massive goals. Having a daily checklist and ticking off what we do accomplish can be an act of celebration. Find positive ways to reward ourselves as we move forward, develop and achieve. One step forward will usually generate a second step forward.


"I have learned that champions aren't just born; champions can be made when they embrace and commit to life-changing positive habits."

Lewis Howes


As we learn about who we are and what is important to us, we may find our circle of people will change. It is helpful to seek out like-minded travel companions for our journeys. People who will encourage us. People who will love and support us. People who will speak words that give us life and build us up, rather than tear us down. People who will challenge us and be honest with us, so we can stay on track. People who will see the potential we have and allow us opportunities to grow into that potential.


A crucial thing we can do to live purposefully is to develop high-impact habits. Habits with high impact will accelerate our process of purpose. An almost lost art of focus that can be used each morning is to develop a habit of devoting 20 minutes to meditation or prayer, 20 minutes to exercise and 20 minutes to reading aloud. We live in an electronic world that moves at the speed of light and these habits will open our mind, our heart and our spirit to purpose like no other. 


Low-impact habits will drain our enthusiasm, our energy and our efforts, and delay or prevent us finding our purpose. What we do with our time and our energy will determine the outcome of our life. Digital entertainment and social media will consume our time. Time is precious.


It is important for our well-being to develop personal boundaries and to take responsibility for how we allow others to treat us.


Personal Boundaries act as a filter to permit what is acceptable into our lives and what is not. Without a strong sense of self worth and without boundaries that protect and define us, we tend to derive our sense of self worth from those around us. To avoid this situation, have clear and decisive limits which others must respect, and be willing to do whatever it takes to enforce them.


Healthy boundaries improve our self confidence and our ability to communicate with others. Healthy boundaries put us more in touch with the reality around us and enable us to have more fulfilling relationships which give more stability in life.


"The great thing about life is that just like playing 'Snakes and Ladders', we can move up and down the Maslow scale many times in our life. It's never too late to start again."

Food For Thought

 

What new knowledge did you gain from this lesson?

 

Now that you know this, how could it be applied?