The need for self-realization (self-expression)

The need for self-realization is inherent in nature. Self-realization is awareness of yourself, your talents and positive aspects, and the application of the information received. The desire for self-expression forces people to seek a place in society by effectively using their abilities. If a person manages to do this, he receives complete satisfaction from life.

What is self-realization

Self-realization is actions to develop natural abilities. It doesn't matter whether they are helpful or antisocial.

Need for self-realization

The need for self-realization is understood as an individual’s desire to find a place in society, reveal personal qualities, apply knowledge and skills, and implement plans. He wants to be better than others, to receive satisfaction from what he has achieved. The need for self-realization is the strongest that a person has.

The basis of self-realization is recognition and self-affirmation. It is important for a person to show everything he can do and receive approval for it. He needs feedback from the people he encounters.

Satisfaction of the need for self-realization can be assessed by achievements. A good example is a doctor. His qualifications are proven by already healthy patients. It is not the support of colleagues that is considered important, but the assessment of those who received help.

If a person is able to develop his abilities and find the right application for them, society will recognize him as an accomplished person.

Low-level needs

Human desires have a strict hierarchy. It is based on lower-level needs. And until they are fully or partially satisfied, it will not be possible to move to a higher level.

At the lowest level is the satisfaction of physiological needs: hunger, thirst, sexual desire, finding shelter. A person needs to feel safe, have the right amount of strength, health and other important resources. At this level, people create a family, try to predict the future, make plans and try to stick to them.

Social needs also belong to the lowest level. When they are satisfied, a feeling of belonging to society or belonging to a separate group of people arises. Then comes the desire to gain respect, recognition, and to assert oneself among the class whose opinion is important to the individual.

If the needs that arose at a lower level were satisfied at least partially, desires of a higher, spiritual level arise. These include self-realization.

Higher level needs

To satisfy them you need to develop. Development is possible only in a stable situation. If it changes dramatically, then the needs undergo changes. An employee who is at risk of losing his job stops worrying about social rewards in the form of respect or appreciation from management. It becomes less important for him to reveal his own capabilities in activities. He cares about maintaining his job. It can also switch to physiological needs.

If the employee does not see a threat, he is actively involved in the activity, using all his abilities and knowledge.

A person cannot feel his needs are fully satisfied. One desire gives way to another. Since the basis is the needs of the lower level, they must be satisfied constantly.

Conditions for self-realization

The process of satisfying the need for self-realization can only be launched if there are a number of necessary factors influencing it. The upbringing and culture of a person are important. A strong influence comes from society or a separate social group in which the individual is located. Under the influence that a child experiences, important character traits are formed, life principles, culture of behavior and motivation are highlighted.

Whether a person will be able to achieve self-realization depends on what stereotypes dominate in society and what traditions it adheres to. For example, gender stereotypes are a big obstacle to women realizing their potential.

Another aspect that influences the need for self-realization is personal characteristics. Achieving goals requires responsibility and determination. Flexible thinking and an adequate perception of reality will not hurt.

Innate qualities and inclinations have the same meaning as acquired ones. These include self-confidence, initiative, energy, and hard work.

Possibility of self-realization

The need for self-realization and self-expression can be satisfied in several areas at once.
For example, success in career growth is often accompanied by interesting hobbies or strong family relationships. In any activity, you need to set goals and draw up a strategy. It comes in 3 types:

The first type is a strategy for life success. Its basis is the desire to create comfortable living conditions.
The second type is a success strategy, which is accompanied by a desire to move up the career ladder.
The third type is a strategy of self-expression, which is associated with the need to develop one’s creativity and apply it in certain types of activities.

Everyone has different opportunities to satisfy the need for self-realization. Much is determined by the environment. For example, a person living in a period of crisis is struggling for existence, so he chooses the first type of strategy. In a society where a market economy is established, people choose the second type.

The process of personal self-realization

The success of self-expression largely ensures self-development. The need for self-realization is inseparable from the spiritual and practical process. Thus, the teacher must be in continuous moral development, which ensures constant improvement of his skills. Self-development presupposes a change in the individual, in which the existing “I” strives for the perfect “I”.

To do this, people should set goals, listen to desires, and evaluate their actions from the point of view of others. If you neglect the interests of society and do not try to give actions a social orientation, the individual will experience a destructive influence.

In the course of satisfying the need for self-realization, a person may find himself at different levels:

Aggressive rejection of the type of activity that she carries out. The individual does not like what he has to do, but he is forced to do it.
Desire to avoid work. With this approach, people choose a different profession.
Passive perception. The work is performed according to a template or model.
The desire to improve some elements of the work.
Desire to make the most of skills and abilities. This level is often called creative or inventive.

There are other classifications. According to it, a person is at a low or average level of satisfaction of the need for self-realization. In the first case, he passively carries out the proposed work, in the second, he tries to prove himself as an individual. Intermediate level and level involves personal growth. With a high level of energy, a person considers work to be the meaning of life.

Ways to satisfy the need for self-realization

The need for self-realization inherent in nature forces the individual to look for the most suitable ways to satisfy it. You can understand yourself if you are in continuous interaction with others.

It is necessary to strive for self-awareness, discovering one’s own potential, identifying strengths and weaknesses, trying to strengthen the latter. All this will lead to the acceptance of personality, its full disclosure and development.

The choice of profession should be influenced by personal views. Society's opinion is of no use here. Although people often engage in work that brings more income, it does not provide spiritual satisfaction.

You can satisfy the need for self-realization if you set goals that are determined by your inner desire to do what you like. If an individual understands that any barriers and obstacles in the process of his work can be overcome, he is close to realizing himself as an individual. Mistakes are an irreplaceable part of experience; they contribute to growth.

Self-realization goals

At each age period, an individual can set different goals for himself on the way to satisfying the need for self-realization. Thus, in childhood, he reveals his mental and spiritual abilities, searches for himself, and learns to communicate with others. In adolescence, one has to choose a field of activity, development continues, and a person tries to arrange his personal life.

The period of maturity is characterized by self-affirmation in the sphere of activity and relationships. However, there are processes that continue throughout life.

Satisfaction of the need for self-realization is necessary in order to receive joy from development and related changes. Self-expression is the path to happiness. Ignoring it will deprive you of a happy life and positive emotions.

The problem of self-realization

There are a number of problems that prevent the satisfaction of the need for self-realization. The first is the discrepancy between desires and reality. For example, a young man chooses a job with a high salary rather than one that he likes.

Another problem is that often people do not listen to their own desires and do not seek to analyze their feelings. They avoid the effort required for self-development.

Stereotypes also negatively affect the need for self-realization. This also includes difficult economic conditions. They prevent you from reaching a higher level of desire satisfaction.

Ways of human expression

Self-expression can be represented by numerous types of activities; creative self-expression of the individual usually deserves special attention, since it is socially approved and attracts genuine attention from others. Those who can also be creative join in and interact with others with interest at the level of metaphors, while those who are deprived of this opportunity have the chance to passively choose their response in someone else’s creativity.

In order to successfully throw out various emotional storms through creativity, you need to try several activities and find what best helps you realize your ideas. Someone can express emotions by singing or dancing, and this is more about expressiveness and the ability to share a state. For others, writing stories or creating dishes is typical, which is more about transforming the world through the introduction of new ideas and forms. One cannot ignore scientific creativity as the highest degree of recreating one’s ideas - this is how a person stands out not only among his immediate environment, but is also at a completely different level of existence relative to the entire civilization.

The simplest option, accessible to everyone, is expression through appearance. Women unconsciously often use this technique, wearing some special dress or rough boots, depending on what they want to emphasize at the moment - defenselessness or stability of character. Every morning, by creating your own unique image, you can gain confidence and the ability to further creative transformation. Even by wearing clothes that are somehow transformed and have pin-level uniqueness, a person gets the opportunity to feel different and bring some kind of sign or meaning to a space with the help of a small accessory.

Bright makeup, multi-colored hair, tattoos and any changes in appearance (including plastic surgery) are about self-expression, creating at least such an external appearance, which is rare. On average, people are all the same, despite the fact that no one is identical, but self-expression comes when there is a need to stand out even more, become recognizable on the streets and attract the attention of not only your closest acquaintances, but the majority. In addition to appearance, there are more difficult and deeper ways of self-expression - achieving sports titles, scientific degrees, even a certificate of commendation or a bonus as the best employee. These are longer paths, but located at a different level of self-realization.

These are only the most popular options that can be analyzed and structured, studied and observed. In reality, there are as many ways of self-expression as there are people, since this is not a template, but a presentation of the inner.

Consider the theory of needs

There are several theories of needs.

Maslow's theory of hierarchical needs

Maslow assumed that every need is satisfied to some extent. He suggested this arrangement:

physiological - 80-85%;
safety and feeling of security - 70-75%;
love and sense of belonging - 45-55%;
self-esteem - 40-45%;
self-realization - 10%.

The scheme is conditional and changes with an individual approach. Thus, there are people for whom the need for self-realization and self-esteem is more valuable than the feeling of love.

Maslow argued that people's actions are not always driven by economic interests, but that their actions are often motivated by needs that cannot be satisfied by money.

Alderfer's theory of work motivation

Alderfer highlights the need for self-actualization, the need for social connections, and the desire for growth. According to his ideas, the less an individual’s needs of existence are satisfied, the more strongly they manifest themselves. Applying these principles, Alderfer proposed to motivate workers. When meeting social needs, growth needs should be supported. If they are weakly expressed, it is worth doing the opposite.

Douglas McGregor's Theory of Motivation

McGregor identified 2 approaches to management, conventionally calling them “Theory X” and “Theory Y”. The first leadership style involves an authoritarian leader and strict control over the work of employees. The second approach is based on democracy, a number of powers are transferred to employees, work is underway to improve relationships in the team, and the motivation of people and their characteristics are taken into account.

Studying the personality of each person will help you choose an approach. This is the only way to satisfy the need for self-realization of all employees.

Frederick Herzberg's two factor theory

According to Herzberg's theory, employee motivation is influenced by the hygiene factor or a set of conditions under which the employee does not receive satisfaction. This is often due to company policy, relationships with management, working conditions and pay.

Another factor was called "motivator". Thanks to this approach, employees’ motivation to work increases, and they receive satisfaction of the need for self-realization. This occurs due to the possibility of promotion, personal growth, recognition from colleagues and management, and good pay.

The theory of motivation by L. Porter - E. Lawler

The Porter-Lawler model can be described as follows: in order to get results at work and rewards for them, you need to make an effort. The latter are determined by abilities, knowledge, experience, and level of qualifications. The higher the payment, the more effort put in. A person’s awareness of his role in the work process is also important.

Scientists have come to the conclusion that productive work will satisfy the need for self-realization. Previously, it was believed that the result depended on whether the person was initially satisfied. Porter and Lawler's theory has helped in the study of human motivation.

McClelland's theory of acquired needs

McClelland emphasized the needs of achievement, participation and desire in gaining power. The combination of these desires determines the employee's motivation. If you know what motivates an employee, you can use him more effectively by offering tasks the solution to which will suit him. This will improve your workflow. Employees will have the opportunity to satisfy their need for self-realization.

Methods of self-organization

So, let's look at the basic methods of self-organization that you can use to learn how to manage yourself.

Method 1. Time management. The first thing you need to do to increase your level of self-organization is planning your time, that is, time management. But not just planning, but also following the plans. You also need to manage yourself and your time wisely. Learn the basic principles of time management and think about how to apply them more effectively specifically to your situation. Time management is actually a very broad concept, a whole science, and therefore requires serious study.

Method 2. Developing habits. To learn how to perform the necessary regular actions without any problems, you just need to turn them into a habit. And this can be done by using the simple rule of 21 days - this is the number of days needed for any, even the most hated, action to become a habit. By acquiring necessary, useful habits in this way, you will significantly increase your level of self-organization.

Method 3. Self-motivation. Another good method of self-organization is self-motivation. These words are similar, but their meanings are different. Self-motivation is the definition of some motives for yourself, the presence of which will increase interest in performing the necessary actions or achieving goals. Here, too, you should study the basic methods of self-motivation, decide which possible motives are most important specifically for you, and use them.

Method 4. Social circle. Success in self-organization largely depends on the social circle in which a person finds himself. For example, if all colleagues in one office room are accustomed to “playing the fool,” then even the most notorious workaholic, once in this team, will also significantly reduce his productivity. Therefore, it is worth forming your social circle from people with a high level of self-organization, from whom, in your opinion, there is something to learn in this regard. And, on the contrary, exclude communication with those people who do not know how to manage themselves, do not strive for this, and even dissuade you, they say, who needs all this.

Method 5: Teaching others. And the last interesting method of self-organization that I want to consider is teaching it to someone else. The fact is that when a person teaches others, he subconsciously improves his knowledge and skills; he must be more competent and professional than the students. And in order to teach someone, it is not at all necessary to get a job as a teacher. For example, parents can teach their children, because self-organization will never be superfluous for them either. Older brothers and sisters - younger ones. Finally, you can, by mutual agreement, start teaching your boyfriend or girlfriend. And in all these cases, you will have to, first of all, set a personal example, which will be of great benefit to yourself.

In conclusion, I want to emphasize once again: self-organization is very necessary and important - remember this well. If there were no self-organization, there would be no, for example, the Financial Genius website, and many other things that are created by a variety of people. Those who are able to manage themselves will definitely achieve great success in life and will be able to do great things. And those who don’t even think about it will live “like everyone else.” See for yourself what is more interesting for you...

Now you have some idea of what self-organization is, how to manage yourself, what methods of self-organization can be used for this. Study this topic more deeply, put it into practice, and you will probably soon see the first positive changes.

That's all, I wish you success in achieving your goals! See you again on the pages of the site!

Satisfying the need for creative self-realization

Creativity is the work of creating something new. During the creative process, an individual manages to most fully satisfy the need for self-expression and use all the abilities that are inherent in him. And a socially important result will lead to self-realization.

The acquired skill is not important for creativity. You need to learn to solve problems with creativity.

Creativity is not the ability to compose poetry or paint pictures, but the expression of personality traits, based on its unique traits, characteristics and qualities. Creativity lies at the heart of self-expression, contributing to the development of personal views on the world.

Bottom line

The definite result is the age of 50 years. Those people for whom the needs of the soul have not become dominant stop in their development, many begin to get sick, stagnation arises in their mental life, the egocentric position intensifies even more, life goes into decline, no matter how much money is made. The passing away of many rich and famous people after 50 is proof of this.

How to survive the age crisis without losses

Those for whom the needs of the soul have prevailed continue their development; many are carried away by one or another type of creativity, thus opening the fifth chakra - Vishuddha. And money at this stage continues to be a good help and finally turns into a means for further development. This movement continues until the end of life

And it no longer matters whether a person manages to fully reveal his potential, whether he manages to open the higher chakras (sixth and seventh) - his life was not lived in vain, he realized most of the needs of his soul

Satisfying the need for self-realization in the profession

Personal expression plays an important role today. High demands are placed on a person for two reasons:

Competition in the labor market.
Difficult life circumstances.

Satisfaction of the need for self-realization is expressed externally and internally. External manifestation implies achievements, for example, receiving a promotion, an increase in wages, respect from colleagues. Internal self-realization is the development of useful qualities, gaining knowledge and improving skills.

This type of self-realization is characterized by continuity, creativity, setting and achieving goals. Here you can add the disclosure of personal potential, recognition from people engaged in a similar type of activity and other things.

Self-realization in the profession is strongly influenced by personal traits, for example, flexibility of thinking and behavior, ability to organize, communication skills, and the ability to work in a team.

Practical recommendations

First of all, you need to competently and realistically assess your own talents and abilities. To do this, psychologists recommend taking a sheet of paper, creating a calm, relaxing environment and writing down the qualities and hobbies that need to be worked on.
Honestly and impartially write down all your character traits, regardless of how much they are valued by society.
List all the types of activities in which you would like to realize yourself. Think about your dreams, what you wanted to do as a child. As psychologists note, childhood dreams reflect a person’s true personality. Next to each activity, write down the necessary character traits that will help you achieve success. After all, only in activity does self-realization of the individual occur.
Compare the lists and this way you will see which type of activity suits you best. At first glance, this method is only suitable for teenagers who have not decided on a profession. However, according to statistics, most adults are not satisfied with their work and would like to change their type of activity. Such dissatisfaction is dictated, first of all, by the inability to correctly identify one’s talents and set life priorities.
Many people mistakenly believe that they can only realize themselves in professional activities. However, this is a general misconception. It is necessary to abstract from traditional views and evaluate yourself comprehensively. It is quite possible that a person will be able to express himself while on vacation or while doing his favorite hobby. The main thing is that the process is enjoyable - this is the main sign that the self-realization strategy has been chosen correctly and is successful.

Watch the video - an expert’s opinion on personal self-realization and finding a worthy goal in life.

Self-determination and satisfying the need for self-realization

Self-realization is possible with self-determination, which involves an analysis of abilities, desires, and inclinations. An important point is the choice of profession, which often leads to a gap between individual and public interests. Career guidance and consultations help determine preferences. The latter identify preferences and support a person if he encounters an obstacle from society or a group of people.

You will achieve complete satisfaction of the need for self-realization by choosing an interesting activity for yourself.

Personal self-realization

Personal self-realization is carried out in two directions: the chosen field of activity and in family life. It is important to take into account that the criterion of success is the degree of a person’s internal harmony, and not the assessment of his achievements by society. This type of self-expression is very important, as it leads to spiritual growth and the development of important qualities.

It becomes possible when a person realizes his desires.

The need for social self-realization

A person is dependent on society, therefore, in the process of satisfying the need for self-realization, he needs to create a trusting relationship with others. This requires sociability, responsibility, empathy, initiative, and morality.

Social success should not be confused with social self-realization. The first does not always bring satisfaction, but often becomes a way to assert oneself. Self-realization gives a feeling of happiness.

Self-realization in life

The need for self-realization in life is not measured by the amount of money earned or popularity in society. Self-expression is characterized by the discovery of one's own potential and the feeling of happiness that arises in the course of working on oneself.

There are many ways to satisfy the need for self-actualization. You can work in several areas of life at once. For example, he tries to reveal his talents, but at the same time create strong family relationships, improves connections with others, and enjoys his work.

All our lives we look for ways to satisfy the need for self-realization and self-expression. This helps you develop and grow.

When spirituality comes

After 30 years, many realize the fact that all desires cannot be satisfied, all money cannot be earned. People are beginning to lean toward a settled life, looking for comfort, coziness, and security. A certain result of the previous stage of life is summed up, the place of money in the value system is revised. With the healthy development of the situation, the importance of money decreases and values such as family, children, interests, and hobbies come to the fore. In the case of an unhealthy trend, money remains a super value or is pushed far into the background. This period lasts until approximately 35-37 years.

At this age, the so-called essential crisis occurs. The needs of the soul come to the fore. Many people develop a vague longing for something sublime, a need arises for higher values and meanings. That is, according to Maslow, basic and social needs have already been realized to one degree or another, the turn of mental and spiritual needs comes, and the fourth chakra, Anahata, is “turned on.” If this happens, then money becomes a good support in the spiritual development of the individual.

A certain part of people begins to participate in various trainings and practices, allocates an expense item for this, which ultimately becomes an investment in unlocking their human potential. Most people continue the “race for happiness and freedom,” assuming that these states are directly related to money. Some of those who have never achieved financial and social success devalue the importance of money in their lives and also become involved in the “spiritual” life. But such spirituality becomes an escape from ourselves, compensation for the failures of the previous stage of life.

Safety

The need for protection and stability is the second step of the pyramid. This need begins to concern a person after he satisfies his physiological needs. A person needs protection from the dangers that await him in the world around him, and he also needs to know that his physiological needs will be satisfied in the future.

This confidence can be easily realized through the purchase of insurance policies or, for example, in the guarantees that the state and employer give us: pensions and social security. People need confidence that their work is reliable and nothing will happen, that they can continue to live and not bother, so to speak. The logic here is the same as for physical needs: when some extreme situations happen, the need for safety is the most important, the most necessary, a person can’t think about anything else.

How to apply the pyramid on yourself?

Skillful use of the pyramid, for example, in management or a team, will help you solve problems or prevent them altogether

Using some techniques for emphasizing a person’s strengths, talents and importance in the team, you can properly motivate staff to achieve success

You can interact much more effectively with the same children if you take into account their needs and desires.

In order to climb up the pyramid, you can read many books and articles about motivation, but it is better to take an online course or training once. Learning from a person who has walked this path will help you believe in yourself and achieve what exactly you want in this life. Under no circumstances should you listen to amateurs who shout at every corner: “Pay me and you’ll get rich!”

For me, such a person is Pavel Volya.

His online course “Improver Express” will teach 3 main things: initiative, action and efficiency.

The training consists of 23 chips. It was they who helped Volya turn from a simple beggar Penza guy into the highest paid presenter of the TNT channel and my favorite stand-up comedian. According to Forbes magazine, Pavel earns $2.5 million annually.

The course is suitable for both men and women from 16 years of age.

How the training will take place:

You receive theory and practical assignment.
Do it.
If you did it right, move on to the next one.

If you don’t mess around and do all your homework responsibly, then pleasant changes await you: at work, in your personal life, with relatives and friends. This will lead to more money, connections and success.

Cost – 15,000 rubles. with access forever, but there is also the opportunity to take the course for 3,000 rubles.

If within 2 weeks you decide that the course is not suitable for you, your money will be returned.

After registering for training, a girl from Pavel’s team will contact you and answer all your questions regarding the training. You will discuss payment terms with her.