Beyond Self-Actualization

This is a very interesting and thought provoking article:

by Alexander Green

Self-actualization is not a goal. It is a philosophy of life, a continual striving, a process of development.

"One's only rival is one's potentialities," said Maslow. "One's only failure is failing to live up to one's own possibilities. In this sense, every man can be a king."

This is achieved by shunning the safe, the comfortable, the routine - and instead seeking opportunities for growth.

"One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth," wrote Maslow. "Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again."

Essentially, self-actualization means seeing life as a series of choices - and choosing the growth choice each time.

According to Maslow, this uniquely human need is at the core of our nature. It creates meaning in our lives.

6 characteristics that define the self-actualizing individual:

1. Openness to experience. Self-actualizers are eager to undergo new experiences and rethink old ideas.

2. An efficient perception of reality. Self-actualizers see things as they really are, not as they imagine or wish them to be.

3. Acceptance of self, nature and others. Self-actualizers rarely feel anxious, guilty or ashamed. They are confident in themselves and their ability to solve problems.

Read full Article HERE