Abraham Maslow’s 8 Ways to Self-Actualize
August 4th, 2008
Abraham Maslow’s 8 Ways to Self-Actualize
- Experience things fully, vividly, selflessly. Throw yourself into the experiencing of something: concentrate on it fully, let it totally absorb you
- Life is an ongoing process of choosing between safety (out of fear and need for defense) and risk (for the sake of progress and growth): Make the growth choice a dozen times a day.
- Let the self emerge. Try to shut out the external clues as to what you should think, feel, say, and so on, and let your experience enable you to say what you truly feel.
- When in doubt, be honest. If you look into yourself and are honest, you will also take responsibility. Taking responsibility is self-actualizing.
- Listen to your own tastes. Be prepared to be unpopular.
- Use your intelligence, work to do well the things you want to do, no matter how insignificant they seem to be.
- Make peak experiencing more likely: get rid of illusions and false notions. Learn what you are good at and what your potentialities are not.
- Find out who you are, what you are, what you like and don’t like, what is good and what is bad for you, where you are going, what your mission is. Opening yourself up to yourself in this way means identifying defenses - and then finding the courage to give them up.
This was exactly and perfectly what I needed to read today. Thank you.
Excellent topic! In addition to being a musician, I write a blog about personal growth and psychology — and I make it my business to promote the concept of self-actualization. It ought to be a phrase everyone should know what it means, instead of being a psychological jargon.
It’s cool that someone who’s the authority on psychology says basically the same kind of things we’ve been talking about, isn’t it? Some fundamental principles apply universally, across the board.
http://ourbestversion.com
ari
My favorite thing about going to my blog page is clicking the link that takes me to yours. Thanks for another meaningful post.
Exactly my life’s philosophy. And I think it’s also the main reason my life is so wildly satisfying.
This is a manual for happiness. It is interesting that these ideas come up in various cultures once somebody starts on a quest for truth.
Just read the wiki article on Abraham Maslow. Amazing that he developed the hierarchy of needs pyramid already in 1954. Putting the 8 ways in action can make a change.
Isn’t it wonderful to live in a time where all this inspiration is available and sharing has become so easy!
[...] a beautiful quote from Abraham Maslow: “Life is an ongoing process of choosing between safety (out of fear and need for defense) and [...]
Is very wonderful ,life is like tide ,great thanks alot.Thanks.
Exactly my Phylosophy but sometimes difficult to be understood…
Thank much to share.
Respect.
Thank you for this. It’s come at exactly the right time. Good luck, Derek! You’ve always been someone to admire, and I expect you always will be. Thank you for everything you’ve given us, and for constantly reminding us that there is still real integrity to be found in the world.
Daring to be a ‘Daniel’ as the story goes in the Good Book. Be honest, fair minded, courageous, diligent and stand up for what you believe in, and do what is right, regardless the consequences. My Dad said ‘Son, you’ll never go wrong doin’ what’s right’.
[...] everything, and hey, I’m managing to bring in manga after all), Derek also posted today Abraham Maslow’s 8 Ways to Self-Actualize, which really struck a chord with me this morning. When I look at it, I think, wow, that’s [...]
[...] dozen times a day.” (sivers.org/maslow) [...]
[...] An additional email just sent out to artists from CD Baby founder Derek Sivers reads: There’s a beautiful quote from Abraham Maslow: “Life is an ongoing process of choosing between safety (out of fear and need for defense) and risk (for the sake of progress and growth). Make the growth choice a dozen times a day.” (sivers.org/maslow) [...]
Self-actualization is the end game in the hierarchy of human needs.
Derek, you are one of those rare human beings gifted with the power of simple, effective communication and a soul who has already traveled through many elinghtened journeys. You teach and inspire, and the harmony with which your life is so much full of, is the reward Universal Intelligence has deservedly bestowed upon you. I am thrilled to have come to know you over the years, if only through your work.
…thank you, Mr. Sivers for sharing this…it affirms my perspective on life, and removes the doubts - thank you!
Thank you Derek for sharing Abraham Maslow’s encouraging words. That reaffirms my decision to be totally focused in my creative ventures. When it’s right, a smile is delightful. Have a great day!
Brilliant! Bravo. Beautiful.
Dear Derek:
I will miss not getting all those very informative e-mails from you. You are truly a blessed soul. A really true humanitarian you are. I promise you, there is a special and most wonderful place for you.
One Love*****
Pauline Morris ” Tell Tel Aviv
8/5/2008
There are moments, fleeting to be sure, when I feel like I might actually be closer to being self-actualized. Now that I am a working, gigging, constantly learning musician, I sometimes (sometimes, sometimes) notice that the negative chatter has lessened in my brain. Perhaps it’s because I’m finally doing what I knew I wanted to do back when I was six?
Good luck on your journey. You are quite the explorer.
My sentiments exactly although I couldn’t have put in words…this is going to be my daily AM reading…About Derek: a businessman who set up his business to RUN ITSELF??? A businessman who is not a control freak??? How wonderfully refreshing! That inspires me to try to let go of some things I really can’t control anyway…
cool cat derek love man harold rippy
Derek,thanks for oppening my eyes,with this good news.I just love your style.God bless you.Stay cool,be happy goodbye.KOFI.
Congratulations on your 10th year,successfuly,in the business.Happy to share this news with you,and CD BABY.
don’t go,come back,can we go with you?
Congratulations on your 10th year,successfuly,in the business. You have helped me reach customers I never would have. Thank You.
Greeting Derek give nuff thanks for sharing this vibe yeh with me, may the i have a great th 10 years with prosperity protection and blessing just keep on doing what you doing for artist like my self congratulation jah love blessed
thanks for the reminder that simplicity is possible -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow’s_hierarchy_of_needs is something else he did, which folks might find helpful. I feel it’s a good foundation for what you’re talking about. Gotta deal with the “safety” stuff, before you can handle anything else…
I like your cat, I had a cat named miles that used to sit right on top of my old Apple Mac monitor and dangle his legs over the screen and helped me to get stuff done…
Dear Derek, Thank you for the creative and extremely beneficial articles and suggestions. Your willingness to help others is greatly appreciated. Best wishes to you as continue to pursue your dreams. Dan
Well, I learned ´bout Maslow in economy, in science of religions, sociology and psychology….well a classic….
Kian
I feel like I haven’t thanked you enough.
Your dedication is awesome-ly inspiring.
Thank you.
D.S You are such a caring Man.
You are a thoughtful man.
You care about others you
don’t even know!That’s
a great gift. You want Us! Songwriters
and Ind. Musicians to simply
be greater and better!
Peace and blessings and the very best to you~I will miss you
Hi Derek
Three points: Maybe it’s not about competition, but cooperation.In a world of ceaseless self-promotion you have shown another way—unstinting selfless promotion.
In times of difficulty we find doors are closing,but if we look close we may find one opening up. Trouble is we may not see it. The beauty of your work lies in training others to see the opening of doors.
Finally, re Abraham Maslow’s second point about choosing safety or risk… I can’t be the only one thinking there’s a song in there.
Great advice, and thank you again Derek for being there for us<<<<<
It’s all in our own self programming. I’m reading a life changing book “Ask and It Is Given” by Esther and Jerry Hicks, things we know but reminding us to live this way! Thank you for always inspiring us Derek ! Shawn
Let the self emerge. I loved the entire list. This post is so timely in my post and I think it will help me during this transitional stage I’m going through getting to know myself again. (or maybe for the 1st time)
The punchline is that this list only impresses self-actualized people.
May I be the first to say - what an utter pile of wank.
‘Self-actualise’ my arse.
Stating the obvious in patronizing psychobabble.