Lifetime Learning and Self-Actualization
By Laura Silva Quesada
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Dr. Abraham Maslow coined the term "Self-Actualization" as the Pinnacle in the
hierarchy of human needs.
First one works to simply survive. Once survival is sure, then one establishes
a sense of security. With an acquired sense of security, one is better able to
gain social-acceptance, therefore building a strong self-esteem. Finally, the
strong foundation is in place for a person to arrive at the peak of
self-actualization.
There seems to be certain characteristics evident in Self- Actualizing People,
and these characteristics can be discovered within you, developed, evolved and
nurtured through the many MindBiz tools and strategies. Learning to develop,
evolve and nurture these characteristics is something that is done for the rest
of your life, and so, we call this type of learning Lifetime Learning.
The following are some characteristics of self-actualize people:
Positive Realist: Realistically oriented, yet with a positive
attitude. A Self-Actualizing person has a healthy perception of reality that
influences all areas of life. It is not rosy-eyed nor is it jaundiced. It is
realistic and positive. A Self-Actualizing person is confident of being able to
handle the unknown effectively and resourcefully. He has a refined ability to
separate fact from fiction, and deal with situations logically and efficiently.
(For more information see MicroCourse:
Positive Thoughts - Positive Outcomes).
Self-Acceptance: Accepts himself and others for who and how
they are. He has taken the time to work out any issues attached to past
experiences, has forgiven himself and others for any wrongdoings, having come
to accept that people only do what they best know how to do at any given
moment. He does not pass judgment or shame on himself or others. He enjoys
himself freely and comfortably, and has no unnecessary inhibitions.
Spontaneity, Simplicity, Naturalness: Allows thoughts to flow
freely and does not live a programmed life. His ethics are guided by his inner
wisdom of what is appropriate, and he aims towards continual growth.
Focus of Problem Centering: A Self-actualizing person has a
sense of mission and purpose to which he dedicates his life. His focus is on
solving problems and not creating them. He feels a duty to help and serve
people and not just himself. He is calm, relaxed and in control.
Detachment - The Need for Privacy: The Self-actualized person
can be alone and not be lonely. He exhibits great self-control under any
circumstance. He is introspective and yet, objective. He is a self-motivator,
and takes responsibility for his thoughts, beliefs and behaviors.
Democratic character structure: The Self actualized person has
a freshness of appreciation and does not take anything for granted. He has an
appreciation of people and the basic good in life. He lives in the NOW and
lives it to the fullest.
Peak experiences: Abraham Maslow described peak experiences in
the following manner, "Feelings of limitless horizons opening up to the vision,
the feeling of being simultaneously more powerful and also more helpless than
one ever was before, the feeling of ecstasy and wonder and awe, the loss of
placement in time and space with, finally, the conviction that something
extremely important and valuable had happened, so that the subject was to some
extent transformed and strengthened even in his daily life by such
experiences."
A peak experience is a moment of intense ecstasy, similar to a religious or
mystical experience, during which the self is transcended. It is akin to being
in the "Flow" or "Zone."
Interpersonal relations: The self-actualized person feels a
true connection with all creation, both "good" and "bad." He possesses an inner
ability of deep knowing. He has deep, caring and intimate relationships with
few. He believes in and live by the laws of unconditional love.
Democratic values and attitudes: The self-actualized person is
able to gain great knowledge and experience from anyone he comes in contact
with. He is humble and friendly with anyone regardless of class, education,
political belief, race or color. He displays little to no racial, religious, or
social prejudice.
Philosophical, healthy sense of humor: Jokes to the
self-actualized person have purpose and meaning. He can laugh at himself, at
the absurdities of life and doesn't take himself or happenings too seriously,
yet he always respects the feelings of others.
Creativity: The self-actualized person enjoys an inborn
creative ability that influences all areas of his life. He is original,
inventive, free to express, and has superior problem-solving abilities.
Resistance to enculturation: Self-actualized people have an
inner detachment from culture, and are not controlled by cultural norms.
Solving problems and improving their culture, as well as others, rather than
just cope are intrinsic to self-actualized people.
Personal Integrity: Self-actualized people are realistically
human due to a philosophical acceptance of self, human nature, social life,
physical reality, and nature. Their motto is "What you see is what you get".
Resolution of dichotomies: For self-actualized people,
opposites unite and result in a greater outcome, therefore eliminating opposing
energies and eliminating conflict. Work and play are one and the same, as is
with needs and desires. There is a playful, childlike nature in self-actualized
people, yet many who know them would consider them sages.
Every MindBiz article,
MicroCourse,
CD and upcoming DVD has the purpose of sharing information that can lead
to learning how to achieve self-actualization. It is a life process and one
that requires lifetime learning.
"A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is
to be at peace with himself. What a man can be, he must be.
This is the need we may call self-actualization... It refers to man's desire
for fulfillment, namely to the tendency for him to become actually in what he
is potentially: to become everything that one is capable of becoming..."
Abraham Maslow |
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