What Is Self-Actualization? How Can You Achieve It?
Photo Courtesy: Ashley Pollak
In simple words, self-actualization means that you should be able to realize your full potential and abilities. In more complex psychological terms, self actualization is the highest stage of man’s mental development which takes place after all his other needs are fulfilled. Here are 5 simple steps that you can follow if you want to achieve this state of self-actualization.
1. Fulfill your basic needs
It is but obvious that you cannot achieve your full potential unless you have fulfilled your primary needs such as eating good food, leading a healthy lifestyle and having a roof to shelter you. Only when you have satisfied your basic needs will you be able to achieve self- actualization.
2. Discover your dormant skills
Dormant skills are those that are lying within you innately, but you still haven’t discovered them. Involve yourself in activities like sports, learning a language or a hobby which will force your inner abilities and hidden talents to come out to the forefront. This will help you get one step closer to self-actualization.
3. Strive to be independent
It’s not just about being financially independent. This step towards achieving self-actualization is all about being emotionally independent and detached. You must be able to sort out and handle your own emotions without taking someone else’s support, opinion or advice.
4. Don’t get ruffled by societal norms
For those of you moving towards self-actualization, an important thing to keep in mind is to not get affected by society and traditional patterns of thinking. If questions like ‘What will they think?’ or ‘Will they approve of this?’ are plaguing your mind, you need to get rid of them from your thought process instantly.
5. Be proactive on a daily basis
Are you making the mistake of thinking that a day will come when you will be fully self-actualized? Friends, that’s not going to happen because self actualization is a continuous process. It is a journey, not a one-time destination. The final but most important step to achieve self-actualization is to make proactive, positive changes in your life every single day.
