Meaning
"Self-actualisation" represents a concept
derived from Humanistic psychological theory and, specifically, from the theory
created by Abraham Maslow. Self-actualisation, according to Maslow, represents
growth of an individual toward fulfillment of the highest needs; those for
meaning in life, in particular.
History
The term was originally introduced by the organism
theorist Kurt Goldstein for the motive to realize one's full potential. The
concept was brought fully to prominence in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs
theory as the final level of psychological development that can be achieved
when all basic and mental needs are essentially fulfilled and the
"actualisation" of the full personal potential takes place, although
he adapted this viewpoint later on in life, and saw it more flexibly.
As Abraham Maslow noted, the basic needs of humans
must be met (e.g. food, shelter, warmth, security, sense of belonging) before a
person can achieve self-actualisation - the need to be good, to be fully alive
and to find meaning in life. Research shows that when people live lives that
are different from their true nature and capabilities, they are less likely to
be happy than those whose goals and lives match.
Characteristics of Self-Actualising Persons
Central to the lives of self-actualised people is a
set of values that Maslow called the Being-Values, or B-Values. These
characteristics apply equally to both men and women, of course.
• They are realistically oriented and not threatened
by the unknown. They have a superior ability to reason and to see the truth.
• They perceive and understand human nature. They
accept themselves, other people, circumstances and the natural world for what
they are. They are able to learn from anyone and are friendly with anyone, with
no regard to stereotypes.
• They are emotionally intelligent and feel no need
for crippling guilt or shame. They tend to be serene, characterized by a lack
of worry. They are self starters, are responsible for themselves, and own their
behavior. Work becomes play and desires are in excellent accord with reason.
• They are unflappable and retain dignity amid
confusion and personal misfortune, all the while remaining objective.
• They have a great deal of spontaneity and have no
unnecessary inhibitions.
• The self-actualised person can be alone and not be
lonely.
• They are honest and seek justice for all.
• They are autonomous and independent. Thoughts and
impulses are unhampered by convention. Their ethics are autonomous and they
determine their own inner moral standards.
• They have a fresh rather than stereotyped
appreciation of people and appreciate the best aspects in all things. However
they resist conformity to the culture. They determine their own behavior and
have their own views on people and events.
• Moment to moment living for them is exciting and
often exhilarating as they live their life to the full. Vibrant moments are
frequent and peak experiences not unusual. Peak experiences are moments when
one sees clearly what before was hidden or obscured.
• They seek wholeness; they are able to merge
opposing views into a third, higher synthesis, as though the two have united;
therefore, opposite forces are no longer felt as conflict. Self-actualizing
people retain their childlike qualities and yet have a far-seeing wisdom.
• Their intimate relationships with specially loved
people tend to be profound, sincere and long-lasting, rather than superficial.
• Their sense of humor is philosophical rather than
hostile. They can laugh at themselves but never make jokes that hurt others.
• Self-actualising people enjoy an inborn uniqueness
that carries over into everything they do. Their creativity is original,
inventive, uninhibited and - since they see the real and true more easily -
valuable.
• Self-actualising individuals are motivated to
continual growth. They are also aware of their primary goals in life and are
devoted to fulfilling them, both for their own benefit and as service to
others.
Self Actualisation Examples
Mahatma Gandhi, Viktor Frankl, and Nelson Mandela
may serve as examples of people who each personify a reality of
self-actualisation. At risk of his life, Mahatma Gandhi utilized civil
disobedience for purposes of freedom, Viktor Frankl was a holocaust survivor
who never relinquished his grasp of life's meaning, and Nelson Mandela
maintained an attitude of meaning in life even while he was imprisoned. The
safety needs of these individuals may have been threatened in these particular
life circumstances, but it may be understood that many people whose safety
needs are compromised may be cognizant of being values. They may find life to
be meaningful explicitly because of situations of danger to their lives,
situations represented by the dichotomy of life and death, in particular.
Steps to Self-Actualisation
1. Stop measuring yourself against others.
Most of us have the tendency to measure our
self-worth by comparing our accomplishments and abilities to those of the
people around us. If you're farther than others, you deem yourselves achievers.
If you're not, you tend to stress and work on ways to improve. The problem is
that self-actualisation doesn't have anything to do with the people around you.
The only thing that matters is your progress, not the progress of others.
2. Learn to accept yourself holistically.
It's so easy to become dissatisfied with who you are
and what you have accomplished. Often, when you look in the mirror, it actually
serves to increase the negativity with which you think about yourself. You
cannot fall into that trap. In order to self-actualise, you must accept your
whole self - your strengths and weaknesses - and you must embrace them all.
3. Understand that you are in control.
No matter how much influence an external factor
might have on the people around you, the self-actualised remain unaffected.
This is because they know exactly who they are, and can therefore always adapt
(and adapt quickly). Because they do not lie to themselves about their own
identities, strengths, and weaknesses, they have an immediate and clear picture
of the adjustments they need to make to render the external factor irrelevant.
Understand that the power you possess in terms of your outlook is absolutely
astonishing. If you are realistic, honest, and above all, authentic, there is
nothing you can't achieve.
4. Don't stop growing.
Those who self-actualise understand that the journey
is never over. To self-actualise requires self-awareness, and self-awareness
requires an understanding that there is no such thing as a finished product.
There is no such thing as perfection and no such thing as an endgame. To be
self-actualised means to understand that you must never stop growing as a
person and learning as a professional.
By Awnish Todi
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Awnish_Todi/2211006
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