The process of becoming “everything you are capable of becoming” is called self-actualization
Now a couple of notes before we begin:
Maslow got the basis for his philosophy from the indigenous people of the Blackfoot nation. (Source: Resilience.com, shanesafir.com)
He didn’t propose this in triangle form, this was done by business consultants later down the road. This is inspired the “tipi”
I’m using this as one of MANY perspectives I will share on how to get everything you want out of life for yourself. (Also once we are all on the same page with this I will re-present it from the Blackfoot Nation’s prospective later)
So Let’s Go Back….
The framework of the Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs was introduced to me back in college in a sociology class. From the second I saw it in my book I immediately began to assess where I fell on the spectrum. At the time I figured i was stuck at the relational level of Belonging and love needs.
Then that started to bother me because up until that point no one had told me about a word such as “self actualization”. I kept thinking like “Dam I guess I shouldn’t be just existing.”
So then I began to do research on “How does one get to the top of the pyramid?” And the research I found as it relates to being black and Latina pissed me off.
The first four levels of the pyramid are known as “deficiency needs.” According to researcher Saul McLeod:
“Deficiency needs arise due to deprivation and are said to motivate peopl when they are unmet. Also, the motivation to fulfill such needs will become stronger the longer the duration they are denied. For example, the longer a person goes without food, the more hungry they will become.”
Or… the longer someone (or a group of a people) goes without/is denied personal safety/security, the more motivated they will become to fulfill these needs.
One more time, in case you missed it: “The motivation to fulfill such needs will become stronger the longer the duration they are denied.”
What we are seeing in America (and the world) right now is a response to a centuries-long deficit of humans’ most basic needs. Many BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) people do not feel personal safety on a daily basis. They do not feel protected by the law. And they do not feel freedom from fear.
Maslow further explained that it is difficult to achieve the next level(s) of needs on the pyramid without the needs of the previous level(s) being “mostly” satisfied.
If you’ve stayed with me this long, you see where I’m going with this; if your physiological needs and safety needs are not adequately met, you are immediately blocked from desiring and fulfilling those higher levels of need. You are blocked from love and belonging, and you are blocked from esteem (e.g., dignity and respect). You are even blocked from self-actualization, or as Maslow describes it, a desire “to become everything one is capable of becoming.” (Source: Themighty.com)
DID YOU READ THAT SHIT!?
Later when I became a Certified Business and Entrepreneurship coach, I took my work very seriously as I felt that starting a business helps black and brown people move out the bottom 2 stages and beyond.
From my experiences most people of color, start businesses out of NEED. To escape or improve their current situation and if I can be apart of that catalyst that will be my life’s work.
Seeee? For anyone who has ever thought this. YOU ARE RIGHT.
So how do you move up the pyramid ?
Well for one you have to be an active participant of your own life. You have to WANT to get to the top. You can’t ACCEPT the circumstances you were born into. You have to fight.
1. Physiological or basic needs
These needs are the most primal and basic needs for all human beings starting at birth. They are impossible to ignore.
2. Safety and protection needs
Personal security: leaving abusive relationships, getting rid of toxic people, improving the type of neighborhood you live in.
Financial security: Keep a $1,000 in the bank at all time then save for 3-6 months of your bills.
Health and well-being- Eating food that’s good for you consistently. Treating working out as APRT of you lifestyle instead of cure to a problem.
Safety net against accidents/illness- Figuring out how to get and keep insurance and going to yearly checkups
This stage holds all of our relationships. We need to have positive and healthy relationships, be it friendship or partners. Love and affection make our existence easier since it involves feelings of belongingness. The group we belong to regardless of size or type (family, friends, sports club, etc.) will always motivate us to make changes and fulfill different stages.
Remember that for others to accept us, we must first accept ourselves. However, the other people’s support is a crucial impulse to help us search for the best version of ourselves.
4. Esteem needs
This stage refers to the typical human desire to be accepted and valued by others. It embraces more complex aspects of life such as confidence, trust, self-esteem, respect, and success. Self-esteem is vital for personal growth, a lack of it can lead to inferiority complexes and disorders. If we don’t appreciate ourselves it becomes complicated to worry about anything else, let alone fulfilling all the stages.
Decide on what you believe in (Core Values) which helps answer the question of “Who are you?”
Research where do you come from? Who are your ancestors?
Do soul searching and shadow work (more on that soon)
5. Self-actualization needs
They are at the top of the pyramid and longed by humans. To reach it, humans need to cover the previous four steps. What do we find here? Potential development: morality, creativity, spontaneity, and acceptance.
Description of a self-actualized person👀
People who have managed to reach the last level of Maslow’s pyramid are characterized by the following features:
Lead their problems towards solutions, beyond self-interest
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Their sense of humor is not based on cruelty.
They respect each other and nature.
They show spontaneity, creativity, and originality.
They can enjoy solitude.
Their personal relationships are not very numerous, but the ones they have are very close (they reject superficiality).
They avoid social conventions and stereotypes, relying more on their individual experiences and judgments.
They do not believe that the end justifies the means.
They tend to enjoy experiences more intensely.
They are non-conformist and independent.
My intention of this post is to remind you are HERE FOR A REASON. Also to challenge you to fight to become the best version of yourself no matter.
“Climb your mountain. Reach your ocean” ⛰️🌊
-Méndez