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Self-actualization according to Abraham Maslow is full development of human potential. How do you know if you are on track?
Abraham Maslow is best known for his Hierarchy of Needs Model and for making the term “self-actualization” known in the field of psychology (Lawson, 2007). Although the term was used by others, it was best described by Maslow as the full development of human potential based on the individuals nature. If there is an ultimate theory of personality it does not come from one domain of personality psychology or area of study but rather by looking at various aspects of research and how the environment, biology, education, ancestry, relationships, and society all play a part in influencing personality.
Psychologists believe that to fully research a subject one must shed preconceived notions and theories. Once you place your perspective on the subject, then you have infected the outcome of the research or therapy (Lawson, 2007).
With that said, to attain any true level of self-actualization an individual must be willing to look at what is intrinsic within them and what they can grow into. It is not about what has not been achieved or attained, it is more about a growth that can be achieved by understanding the self and setting goals that are true to the desires and innate abilities.
Many researchers and authors believe that to attain self-actualization, other levels of need must be achieved. But the achievement of some levels is more about the concepts built up in the mind of the individual. The most common lower levels are physiological (hunger, thirst, comfort, safety, etc.); love and belonging (being accepted and relationship); and esteem (competence and achievement, approval and recognition).
The self-actualized person according to Maslow has the unique ability to detect fake, questionable, dishonest personalities, and in general to judge people correctly and efficiently (Maslow, 1943).
Self-actualizing people love reality and facts rather than avoiding truth; are spontaneous; are focused on solving problems; are accepting of themselves and others and avoid bias. Maslow considered the levels of development and focused on the qualities of independence, autonomy, selective quality friendships, cleverness, resistance to outside pressures and transcendence versus coping with the environment (Lawson, 2007).
Many texts and discussions overlook the 2 additional levels added to the Needs Model by Maslow after later research. Cognitive needs cause the person to seek knowledge and understanding of the world, and esthetic needs focus on symmetry, order, and beauty. Once all the needs have been met in the individuals mind, self-actualization begins. Some individuals will never perceive that their needs are met and therefore will be always out of reach from self-actualization (Milkulincer, 2005).
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. (2 Tim 3:1-7, NIV)
1 But mark this:
There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. (2 Tim 3:1-7, NIV)
Okay as if this thing could get any better. It has become and appendage, and yes another reason for my friends and family to make fun of me. But who cares because I’m knocking out A’s in my PhD program and blogging like a mad woman.
Folks wonder why they can’t keep up. Well now the cat is out of the bag. The Smartpen is a must have for any writer, speaker, note taker or anyone who interacts with others and needs to reference a meeting.
A couple of years ago I wrote, “All I Want For Christmas is my Smartpen,” then in August 2009 I wrote “Why I love My Smartpen,” and I am still a fan after a year. See for yourself and let me know your success stories.
Oh and be sure to get it from my website! If you do I will give you free in person or teleconference tutoring on how to use it. You will be blogging like a pro in no time!
Happy scribing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Livescribe Blog :: » Livescribe Launches Echo™ Smartpen
I’m glad Harvard Business Review decided to open this can of worms as it is one that I have been considering for a while. I find the more candid the person, the more frequent the colorful language. Profanity is a matter of opinion and culture. If someone utters a curse word in another language, we don’t know it was a curse word; the same as when someone says “son of a biscuit,” “darn,” “got to be more careful,” “sucker,” and so many other cleaned up versions of curse words. The point is the expression of the individual and in my opinion it is controlling and arrogant to say that the person should have used different words to express their own ideas.
The expression of a “profane” word only lasts for a moment, but the torture over judging the expression lasts much longer and does much more damage. I have appreciated the CEO who used a colorful word to show camaraderie; but I have also cringed when a CEO that I was managing PR for cursed publicly. At the end of the day I have chosen to get over it and I suggest that others do the same. There are so many more issues to be concerned about the character of a leader than whether or not they use a word that is considered a curse word. As far as President Obama’s recent comments…where his critics are concerned he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. I don’t recall any such discussion when the president was caught on camera calling Kanye West a “jack ass.”
My advice to the leader is to limit your use of profanity for the sake of porch monkey’s, I mean social loafers who get easily distracted. My advise to individuals looking to judge leaders, pay attention to the whole of what is being said and find out what you can learn. If you focus on semantics and look for a reasons to be offended by the words used to describe an idea you will remain ignorant and miss the whole point of the conversation. I’m just saying…
Read the original Harvard article here: Should Leaders Ever Swear? - Our Editors - Harvard Business Review
Andrea Raquel (TSE) is CEO of Better Me, Inc. and COO of E2P2, Inc.
Sometimes when you peruse your Facebook feed, you see some things that make you go hmmm… Sometimes, I comment and usually I get some hate mail back telling me to mind my own business. So because I am not here for the abuse of fools who say things publicly and then get mad at the response I decided to start sharing my thoughts on my own blog, so that my clients, friends, and fans can get the benefit of my tips, ideas and thoughts and those want to remain fools don’t have to read it. After all if there is a topic that is brought up then others will benefit from the information too. Be warned, you know I keep it sugar free.
Yes, this is a link to “The” Mike Philips fan page. I really love his music but sometimes on Facebook he starts some ignorant discussions and since I can only fan his page I can’t tell him directly...this is the problem with celebrities trying to do social networking. The social part isn’t real if it’s not two way. If you are not a Facebook user, don’t bother joining to find out what was said, it’s just not worth it. But for laugh’s here’s my response; I almost posted this comment to the conversation:
At the risk of getting hate mail I will be the one to say how old, and decrepit y'all sound for hating on teenagers because they know how to use technology. Maybe they could use some work in the area of social graces, but you aren't exactly teaching them about social skills with the lack of tact in this conversation. Maybe you don’t realize it’s a public stream viewable by anyone. Hmmm...mindless communication. Meanwhile the whole conversation took place on a social network designed by someone who was in his early 20's. How are you teaching your teenagers different? Let's talk solutions shall we? Never mind that the whole conversation was about teen sex…but that wasn’t the concern.
Facebook | Mike Phillips I told a teenager the other day technology makes yall SILLY and NOT THINK!! Back in our day to hook up a booty call it was alot of work without TEXTING, CELL PHONES and whatever yall got now... We thought about EVERYTHING we did and planned it WEEKS in advance. We had pager codes like 911 (call back now) 69 (moms gone lets get it in) "They a bunch of Dummies"( in my Fred Sanford voice)
Have you heard about Klout? Do you know what strategy, research, metrics and forecasting have to do with Twitter? Then you should probably stop reading and start with a book on Marketing for Dummies, which you can pick up from the bookstore at TXNL.
If you do understand or at least are vaguely familiar with metrics, strategy and why it is important to look at your public influence, then you will love Klout. These folks stepped in to the Twitterverse and changed the status quo. As a matter of fact it’s been a while since I’ve seen the top social media influencers bantering on and on about how to make a killing on Facebook or get a million followers on Twitter. Nothing like a regulator to come on the scene and expose the opportunists and phonies.
So how can you use Klout to strengthen your business and influence your audience. Well instead of setting a goal of 300, or 3000 or 3 million followers, consider setting your social media goals based on your Klout score. They will surely keep you on track. The scoring system is similar to that of a personality profile where you see the type of messages you consistently post, if it’s working and if the people who are following you find it useful. If you don’t like your score, or if it’s inconsistent with your mission then you have to change your behaviors.
This is won’t help you with a get rich quick tactic or overnight fame. You must work consistently over time to have the influence you want. Klout won’t make you appear more influential than you are, they only help with awareness, tracking and understanding your current status…the work of building an audience and then speaking to your audience about things they want and need to hear is up to you.
For more tips, experience and helpful ideas on social influence, networking, and public relations follow me @sugarfreecoach.
Influence Takes Time « The Official Klout Blog
