Everyone desires to be happy and live to one’s utmost capacity. Thus, self-actualization is often seen as the ultimate goal of every individual. According to the American neoclassical psychologist, Abraham Maslow, self actualization is the ultimate humanistic need and is the fulfillment of the burning desire unique to every individual. The ability to live to one’s greatest capacity or attain one’s set goals not only inspires a sense of personal worth and fulfillment in the individual, it also helps one to build social proof and relevance in social relations.
Essentially, self-actualization is the fact of using your skills and abilities to get as much as you possibly could out of life. However, it has been observed that only very few people understand self-actualization as a principle, and how it can be observed in real-life situations compared to the large number of persons who wish to be self-actualizers.
Thus, this piece considers self-actualization from different perspectives so that readers can, hopefully, draw new insights that can help them to navigate barriers in their continuing scramble for self-actualization.
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Principles of Self-actualization: The 3Ds
The principles and/or preconditions of self actualization include; Discovery, Development and Deployment of the self. These elements, also called the 3Ds of self actualization, indicate the journey begins with an inquiry into the self and then transition to the exertion of the self for positive outcomes. The elements are further discussed as follows:
Discover: The discovery of the self is the foundation of self-actualization. You need to discover your being, purpose and pattern. For example, asking questions such as what is your motivation, what is your disposition and what sort of orientation you have can help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Also, drawing a connection between these will help you transition into the second stage which is development.
Develop: Discovering your talents and knowing your strengths and weaknesses is not enough, you need to develop relevant skills based on the awareness of your talents and weaknesses to enable you to solve practical problems in your specific area of influence. For example, if you see yourself as a public speaker, you need to learn the art and technique of public speaking, and you need to constantly update yourself in your field as the world is evolving.
Deploy: The knowledge and skills acquired is being engaged in productive things. In other words, deployment is the process of actively engaging yourself for personal or social benefits. The essence of your talents and skills is to solve problems. Therefore, self-deployment is what positions you to be a problem solver and ultimately attain self-actualization.
The 3D process is iterative; as one journeys from discovery through deployment, one may need to revert to the previous stages to refine methods and ensure effective outcome. For example, during deployment, one may realize that one needs to develop new skills, update existing knowledge or conduct a fresh SWOT analysis. The iteration of the 3D is also subsumed in the trial and error theory which is discussed next.
The Trial and Error Theory
Propounded by American Psychologist, Edward Thorndike in 1913, the trial and error theory is predicated on the assumption that success and self-actualization is consequent to multiple trials and failures. In other words, one must have tried several different things and possibly failed at them before one reaches a point that one experiences self-actualization and fulfillment. The theory also hinges on the notion that failure is an integral part of success, and success is attained through engagement in random activities, especially in a novel field.
Trial and error begins with setting the goal, identifying the hindrances or challenges, taking chances at overcoming the challenges, eliminating failed methods or responses and adopting successful methods. The trial and error theory also stress on the importance of preparedness, active engagement and the law of cause and effect.
Maslow Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow propounded the hierarchy of needs in the early 1940s as a humanist worldview to people’s motivation. The theory is based on the assumption that humans have complex needs, and they tend to be happy and more productive when these needs are met. The theory is further explained as follows:
- Human needs are in stages or ranked in ascending order and self actualization is the pinnacle of these needs. The needs are categorized into five namely; physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization needs.
- The need for self actualization invariably arises when the lower needs are completely or partially met, though there may be instances where an individual may seek self actualization before consciously considering the other lower needs.
- Self-actualizers tend to be more intrinsically motivated than extrinsically motivated. In other words, people attain self-actualization when their goal is considered as integral to their sense of being rather than just another achievement to add to one’s profile.
- Self actualization is subjective; it can only be determined, measured and appraised by the individual, and we cannot but accept the individual proclamation of their self-actualization.
Since individuals are moved by different desires at different levels of their existence, it follows logically that self-actualization differs according to individuals, contexts, and time.
From the 3D lens to the trial and error theory and to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is seen as an inherent need of the individual. The quest for self-actualization involves application of certain techniques and satisfaction of certain conditions.
How You Can Harness the Universal Mental Energy for Self Mastery
As a man thinketh, so is he!
The forgoing aphorism by James Allen encapsulates the overarching impact of our mental status and thought process on our personal lives, relationships and destiny. Thoughts are said to be the nucleus of actions. Whether motivated by reason, pleasure or flight-or-fight, individuals generally act based on thoughts.
The essence of the mental is well advanced across many disciplines. In health and medicine for instance, the individual’s mental state is considered very important because wellness in other parts of the body depends on it. In philosophy, the mental is thought of as the source of life and all the vital energies that continually put life into shape. The idea of the mental as the basis of all creations constitutes the principle of mentalism, a perspective that is well entrenched in hermetic philosophy.
What is the principle of mentalism?
In Hermetic philosophy, the All is represented as the unfathomable universal creative energy. The principle of mentalism is an aspect of the philosophy that embodies the truth that the all is mind and the universe is mental. In another definition, the all is the substantial reality underlying all outward manifestations or appearance of things and it is a spirit that is undefined and unknowable.
The All can only be thought of or considered as a universal infinite living mind. The universe is simply a mental creation of the All, subject to the laws of created things, and the universe as a whole and its parts or units has its existence in the mind of the All, in which mind we live, move and have our being. This substantial reality that underlines all things takes off in the mind through the process of involution, and manifests physically through cultivation of energy which often involves pain.
The principle also explains the true nature of energy, power and matter and why and how all these are subordinate to the mastery of the mind. All matters and/or physical creation of man are essentially part of the mental process of the universe and are conceived through thought.
One of the old Hermetic masters wrote long ago; ‘’he who grasps the truth of the mental nature of the universe is well advanced on the path to mastery. Without this master key, mastery is impossible, and the student knocks in vain at the many doors of the temple.’’
How to master the mind and mental
Positive thinking
The mind generally works to sense opportunities and dangers in our environment. The Amygdala, a part of the mental process that senses danger and triggers the flight-or-fight condition, was first developed in man, and has been rooted in his mental nature through thousands of years of evolution.
The capacity for conscious positive thinking developed much later and tends to be slow. This probably accounts for why negative thoughts come almost unconsciously and why many individuals cannot help but have them. However, since thoughts can only be replaced rather than dispelled outright, it is recommended that one practice conscious positive thinking to counterbalance the negative thoughts.
Self affirmation
Self affirmation involves using the power of words and the law of attraction to one’s advantage. It is the process of continuously holding a positive thought in the conscious mind until it is adopted and entrenched in the subconscious mind which is the seat of vital energies that bring all thoughts to manifestation.
Creative imagination
Creative imagination is training and engaging the mind to inwardly and independently develop solutions to problems rather than depend on existing knowledge. Creative imagination is the process of mentally activating part of the infinite intelligence, or the All, embedded in us.
Practice
potential remains only in the mental until they are transmuted into their physical equivalent through practice or active engagement and learning. One only becomes through practicing or doing, not thinking.