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While many humanistic concepts “go back to the Greeks,” the phrase self-actualization only showed up in the 20th century, most famously popularized by American psychologist Abraham Maslow. He put it at the top of the pyramid of his “hierarchy of needs.” If we can get there, we have gone beyond merely fulfilling our biological and egotistical needs to our psychological ones. We have, in effect, maximized our potential.
You may already be familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy (if not, spend 3 minutes with this). But do you know the wisdom of Positive Intelligence genius Shirzad Chamine?
Shirzad says we approach this in the wrong order:
“Oh, my God!” we think. “I have to figure out what my Big Achievement will be on this earth.” Then we must focus and achieve it… and having achieved it: “I’ll be self- actualized!” Right?
Wrong.
Each of us, with no map or guide, is standing at the edge of a dark forest. There is a lighthouse in the distance: Self-Actualization.
Getting to the lighthouse is a goal taken one step at a time. At any given step, Chamine urges:
“Take the step that has more light in it.”
Only after you take that step, will the next be revealed.
Light symbolizes positive emotions we are drawn to like empathy, curiosity, creativity, fulfillment; their opposites are fear, anxiety, self-doubt.
So with several choices in front of you, ask, “Which step has more light?” Take that step, and as a consequence, there’ll be more light on your path. And the next step will be revealed.
As you keep taking each new step toward the light, things will get brighter… and you will discover tools you didn’t know about, new friends you now recognize as crucial. “Every step is full of discovery and growth,” Shirzad says, “and you keep getting closer and closer to the lighthouse…”
And yet, surprise ending: You will never make it to the lighthouse.
“Nobody is ever fully self-actualized… Every step you take you are becoming more and more your true self.”
The value lies in the journey to becoming your authentic, unique, best self.