A Beginner's Guide to Self-Actualization

Scott Jeffrey

What does it mean to be a self-actualizing person?

Are there characteristics of self-actualization?

How do you know if you are a self-actualizing individual?

What are some examples of self-actualization?

To answer these questions, we need to take a brief tour through the work of psychologist
Abraham Maslow.

Let's dive in ...

What Made Maslow Different

In Maslow's era, psychology had a single-minded focus on mental illness. Neurosis and
psychosis were the central themes as psychologists sought to understand and potentially
heal mental afflictions. However, Maslow took a different approach. Instead of studying
mental illness, he asked a different question: "What does positive mental health look like?"

The summary of his lifelong research into this question yielded an original idea that's still
popular over 60 years later: self-actualization.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow has become well-known for identifying the basic human needs all humans share:

● Physiological needs (air, water, food, homeostasis, sex)

● Safety needs (shelter, clothes, routine, familiarity)
● Belonging and love needs (affection; connection to family, friends, and colleagues)
● Esteem needs (self-respect and respect from others, high evaluation of oneself,
achievement, reputation/prestige)
● Self-actualization needs (self-growth, actualizing one’s innate potential)

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Most people associate Maslow's work with the hierarchy of human needs. A pyramid or
triangle is often how we see this hierarchy illustrated:

Maslow Didn't Construct a Pyramid

But did you know that Maslow never put these needs in a pyramid? I believe I've read all of
Maslow's published work and I only recall him using the word “hierarchy” a few times! (In
his paper, "A Theory of Human Motivation.") Maslow merely said that, in a general way,
these needs are prepotent, meaning that lower-level needs have to be met before
higher-level needs can become the focus of attention.

Very logical, right? You’re not going to be too invested in what people think of you (esteem
needs) if you’re starving or thirsty (physiological needs). Your pride eventually breaks
down when something threatens your survival. This idea gave rise to the “hierarchy of
human needs” depicted in a triangle. The triangle symbolizes a hierarchy of higher orders
and a climb or ascent to the top of a ladder. But the reality is that we have all of these needs
most of the time.

Growth Needs versus Basic Needs

Maslow drew a line between people motivated by growth needs and those driven by basic
needs. All of the needs below self-actualization are basic human needs. Maslow also called
them deficiency needs. When these needs aren't being met, we feel something is missing in
our lives, leading us to experience tension and exhibit neurotic behavior. Without a roof
over our heads, for example, our need for security is threatened. Until we fulfill our basic
needs, gratifying them dominates our attention.

But once gratified, we can shift more and more of our attention to growth needs. Whereas
basic needs are external, growth needs are internal. With growth needs, we're no longer
motivated by what other people think—family, friends, colleagues, or anyone else. Instead,
we're driven by something deeper inside of us.

Self-Actualization Definition
Maslow called those who are mainly growth-motivated self-actualizing individuals. He
defined self-actualization as:

● The ongoing actualization of potentials, capacities, and talents,

● Fulfillment of mission (or calling, fate, destiny, or vocation),

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 ● A fuller knowledge of, and acceptance of, the person’s intrinsic nature, and
● An unceasing trend toward unity, integration, or synergy within the person.

Think of self-actualization as the need to become what one has the potential to be.

Why Self-Actualize?
One realizes this potential for its own gratification—not for any external gain or concern of
what others will think or say (external esteem needs). We find self-actualizing people in
virtually every field of interest, including artists, musicians, philosophers, painters, doctors,
psychologists, athletes, business professionals, and martial artists.

Do we need to have all of our basic human needs met before we can pursue
self-actualization? Thankfully, no. But the less tension we feel from our basic needs, the
more time and energy we have available to devote to actualizing our potential.

13 Characteristics of Self-Actualization
How do you know if you’re on your path toward self-actualization? In Motivation and
Personality (1954), Maslow included a paper titled, "Self-Actualizing People: a Study of
Psychological Health." In this insightful report, Maslow highlights 13 characteristics of
self-actualizing individuals:

1) Superior perception of reality

Self-actualizing people possess an unusual ability to judge others accurately and detect
dishonesty in their personalities. With superior perception comes the capacity to
determine what’s good for the person and make effective decisions.

2) Increased acceptance of self, of others, and nature

Maslow found that these mentally healthy individuals had less overriding guilt, crippling
shame, and severe anxiety. Self-actualizing people can accept their nature, including their
shortcomings and contradictions, without feeling real concern. Said another way,
self-actualizing people tend to know and accept their shadow.

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3) Increased spontaneity

They are more spontaneous in their behavior and their lives, thoughts, and impulses.
Naturalness and simplicity important characteristics of self-actualization.

4) Increase in problem-centering

They are more focused on problems outside themselves as opposed to personal issues
(ego-centered). They often have missions in life and tasks to fulfill that demand much of
their energy.

5) Increased detachment and desire for privacy

They are comfortable being by themselves without the neurotic need to always be around
people. They positively like solitude and privacy to a greater degree than the average
person. This characteristic of self-actualization flies in the face of fundamental biases
within social psychology. Despite all of the academic rhetoric, the drive to "belong" and the
neurotic need to be part of social groups in adulthood signifies a lack of positive mental
health.

6) Increased autonomy and resistance to enculturation

Self-actualizing individuals are relatively independent of their social environment.

Motivated by a drive for internal growth and self-mastery, they are more focused on the
development of their potentialities. In contrast, the average person is dependent on and
motivated by social or cultural forces.

7) Greater freshness of appreciation and richness of emotional

reaction
They can appreciate, freshly and innocently, the inherent elements of life with awe, wonder,
and pleasure long after these things become stale to others. For example, they can gaze at a
tree or a sunset for a long time without getting bored and looking for additional
stimulation. With this self-actualization example, you can see how mental illness is the
norm in modern society where most individuals are fixated on their screens and devices
most of the time.

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8) Higher frequency of peak experiences

In his book Religion, Values and Peak Experience, Maslow called this "a mystic experience or
oceanic feeling." He found that these mystical experiences are more intense forms of
experiences where there's a loss of self or transcendence of the self. According to Maslow,
everyone has access to peak experiences, but self-actualizing people have them more often.

9) Increased identification with the human species

Later research in developmental psychology confirms Maslow's observations. Humans

develop from being identified exclusively with themselves (egocentric) to identification
with a group, whether it be family, religious, or political (sociocentric) to identification with
all of humanity (worldcentric). Maslow found that self-actualizing people identify with the
human family.

10) Improved interpersonal relations

Capable of greater love and more obliteration of ego boundaries, self-actualizing individuals
have deeper relationships than other adults. But they may only form deeper bonds with a
select few individuals, maintaining a relatively small circle of friends.

11) More democratic character structure

Another characteristic of self-actualizing individuals is that they are friendly with anyone of
suitable character regardless of class, education, political belief, race, or color. Identifying
more closely with the human species, they are less determined by (and often unaware of)
any of these classifications.

12) Increased creativeness

A universal characteristic of all self-actualizing people Maslow studied was an increase in

creative expression. This creativeness is not a "special talent" creativity that takes years of
constant practice to cultivate, but rather a more innocent, playful, and spontaneous creative
expression found in young children.

13) Certain changes in the value system

With their philosophic acceptance of the nature of themselves, of human nature, and of
physical reality, self-actualizing individuals establish a firm value structure. With

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appreciation and acceptance of human nature, many of our so-called “problems” are seen as
gratuitous and fade out of existence.

Maslow did his best to isolate the characteristics of self-actualization that he observed in
people with positive mental health, but he was quick to point out how interconnected these
qualities are.

Are You Self-Actualizing?

Reviewing these characteristics of self-actualization, can you assess the progress in your
development?

For example:

● Do you invest more time in cultivating yourself?

● Are you more spontaneous than you were ten years ago?
● Are you more autonomous now? Are you more comfortable being alone?
● Do you have a more democratic character structure?
● Have you improved your ability to form deeper bonds?
● Do you engage in forms of self-expression?

Maslow found that self-actualization occurs spontaneously as we meet our basic human
needs. When you feel unsafe (safety need), unloved (belonging need), or unworthy (esteem
need), your motivations are focused on meeting these needs.

When you're out of your center, your drive to pursue basic needs takes over. However, when
you access your center, there's no longer a feeling of incompleteness. Instead, you can just
be.

5 Steps to Become More Self-Actualizing

Self-actualization is a key theme of so many of my self-development guides on this site. The
path to self-actualization can begin at a young age with curiosity and an exploratory spirit.
But for most of us (myself included), this curiosity wasn't cultivated in youth; in fact,
someone unknowingly squashed it.

For many adults, self-actualization comes out of a sense of dissatisfaction with how they are
living or who they are becoming. An inner knowing arises that we are capable of more.
(Perhaps that's how you got to this guide?)

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Once you rekindle the self-actualization fire within you, your adventure begins. It often
starts with a lot of reading and eventually ripens into practice. You begin to see that there is
an infinite number of ways you can develop your gifts and intelligence. You might dive deep
into certain practices right away or skim the surface in a lot of ponds first. Everyone is
different.

Here are five steps you can take right now to gain a stronger footing on your path toward
self-actualization:

Step 1: Get to know your core strengths.

Knowing your strengths will help you save time and focus on what comes naturally to you.
As Joseph Campbell said, "Follow your bliss." Do what you enjoy and what interests you.

Find your signature strengths >

Step 2: Learn how to stay in your center.

It's a foundational skill for learning anything. I wish I discovered it a decade ago. The feeling
of unmet basic needs makes us neurotic. Quieting this neurosis helps us redirect our energy
within ourselves.

Learn how to find your center >

Step 3: Craft a personal vision for the person you're becoming.

This world is driven by an unprecedented level of distraction and continuous stimulation.

Without a clear vision for yourself, it's easy to get derailed in your development. The clarity
a solid vision brings is undeniable.

Clarify your personal vision >

Step 4: Put together a basic personal development plan.

Similar to having a vision, a simple and clear plan will help you cut through distractions and
focus on what's most important to you.

Create your personal development plan >

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Step 5: Walk your path toward self-mastery.

It's important to understand that we all fear and resist growth. Knowing how to overcome
internal resistance is critical if you want to actualize your potential. Maslow made many
observations on this internal tension.

Learn how to navigate through internal resistance >

Final Thoughts on Self-Actualization

Self-actualization, Maslow explains, is a sign of positive mental health. Self-actualization
isn't for a gifted few. It's everyone's birthright. Many of us resist self-actualization because of
fear. Maslow called this "aborted self-actualization." We do this without knowing it. When
we're spending most of our time-consuming media, for example, we've walked off our path.

The good news is that as soon as we realize it, we can start anew, right here and now.
Follow your interests—those things that light your fire and ignite your curiosity—and see
where it will take you.

As Joseph Campbell often put it, "Follow your bliss." It's an awesome adventure of discovery
and growth.

Suggested Reading on Self-Actualization

Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment
by George Leonard

Leonard is one of the pioneers in the field of personal coaching and the "human potential
movement" (he coined the term). A third-degree black belt in Aikido, Leonard ran an Aikido
school and was the president of the Esalen Institute. Esalen was a hotbed for new ideas in
human potential in the 70s and 80s. In Mastery, Leonard demonstrates his knowledge and
experience as someone walking the path of self-actualization. I wish I read this book in my
20s. My self-mastery guide was highly influenced by this small, yet powerful book.

The Farthest Reaches of the Human Nature

by Abraham Maslow

Maslow is perhaps my favorite psychologist and one of the most influential thinkers of the
past century. Maslow’s strengths didn’t rest in his writing but in his observations about
humanity. Although he’s most well-known for the hierarchy of human needs, his insights

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span far beyond that. Most of his work is in the form of papers and textbooks. The Farthest
Reaches was a collection of selected papers published after Maslow passed away.

Years ago, I wrote a book on creativity and The Farthest Reaches was a big influence in that
work.

Read Next
Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Motivation (Complete Guide)

The Three Stages of Self-Discovery

The Four Stages of Learning Anything

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