From Esteem to Self-actualization

My buddy Quinn recently wrote a blog post about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how its stages are analogous to progressions in modern civilizations. (If you aren’t familiar with Maslow’s theory then click here). This got me thinking about the last two categories of this pyramid: esteem and self-actualization. More specifically the transition between esteem and self-actualization. What does that mean?

The individual reaches a point where they have obtained admiration and respect and can now move into higher levels of awareness and gain the ability to manipulate their own fundamental nature (self-actualization). What happens during the esteem phase that sparks the brain into performing self-actualization? I argue that the last two stages are deeply connected and form a feedback loop.

Think about your personal life; most of us have someone that admires or respects us. It could be your child, coworkers, sibling, friends, girlfriend/boyfriend, IG followers, or you hold a high-status position at work. We all feel good when they show us that they value us, as it is normal and okay. We feel like we belong and are part of something larger than ourselves. But I believe there isn’t a threshold that one hits with enough esteem that they begin to self-actualize. For example, if you provide good advice or lead by example, there is a high chance you have done some self-actualization already. The positive feedback from these behaviors encourage you to become more introspective. Am I giving the right advice? Am I being objective enough? Am I leading my version of an optimal life?

The feedback loop happens when you ask yourself those inward facing questions as a means of obtaining even more admiration and respect. The more self-actualization you participate in, the more respect and admiration you gain. I’ve experienced this in my personal life and it throws my self-awareness into overdrive. Furthermore, this feedback loop is also a scientific method for testing behavior versus feedback from the people around you. Does this behavior produce more respect and admiration from my love ones? Yes or no? If yes, then continue and improve on it. If no, then back into the shop to self-actualize a little more.

I am not sure if Maslow would agree with this or if he had something different in mind. I just cannot imagine a situation where you gain enough admiration and respect that it forces you into awareness and auto-correcting behavior. It is fun, however, to question at what point someone decides to take their life by the horns and become its master.