Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is an idea in psychology proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper “A theory of Human Motivation.”
His hierarchy is a very popular framework and is very helpful in looking at where you are and where you are going.
It presents the idea that people are motivated based on where they are at, fulfilling their survival needs i.e., physiological, safety, belonging, and esteem. In general, once these needs are met, people can more easily create the space and motivation to focus on the high states of life, i.e., cognitive needs, aesthetic needs, self-actualization, and eventually transcendence. You can see an example here.
It is important to realize that it is just an idea. The idea can help understand and accept that if you are in survival mode, and you never get out of survival mode, you may never achieve the higher levels of existence or meet these higher needs. And that is ok.
But why should you want to reach these higher levels? Because it is only upon reaching these higher levels that we find the more profound meaning and truths. More importantly, your purpose and fulfillment.
That being said, it is always important to realize that we rarely are always only in one place. Its possible to jump around, but by understanding the purpose of fulfilling the basic needs or simplifying your survival needs, you more effectively and efficiently focus on your higher needs.
If you would like to learn more about the idea and Maslow, visit these sites.
