Unlock Your A-Game with Maslow's B-Need

We spend much of our lives focused on what Abraham Maslow identified as the foundational levels of his Hierarchy of Needs: basic physiological needs (food, water, shelter), safety (security, stability), and belonging (love, friendship). While these are vital, Maslow questioned whether fulfilling them truly unlocks our full potential.

Maslow’s answer was no. Beyond these survival needs lies a more profound drive he called the “Being-Need” (B-Need). This is not about staying alive but about becoming who you are meant to be. He observed this in his mentors, Ruth Benedict and Max Wertheimer, who were driven by purpose and authenticity, not just success. Maslow believed this inner drive was key to true personal growth.

Fulfilment Beyond the Surface

Our culture often equates success with financial stability, health, and social acceptance. But these pursuits can overshadow a deeper longing. The B-Need pushes us to explore our creativity, authenticity, and higher purpose. It’s what moves an artist to create, a teacher to inspire, or a scientist to question.

Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, echoed this idea. In "Man’s Search for Meaning," he argued that meaning, not survival, is the core of human existence. “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose,” he wrote. Frankl’s insight shows us that even in the worst conditions, purpose drives us forward.

The Power of Peak Experiences

Maslow also introduced the concept of “peak experiences,” moments of intense fulfilment and harmony. These aren’t rare or reserved for the elite—they happen in everyday life. Whether solving a problem, completing a creative project, or achieving a personal goal, these moments allow us to touch self-actualisation.

What’s more, self-actualisation isn’t an unattainable goal. It’s a series of moments, both large and small, where we tap into our potential. These moments don’t require fame or grand achievements. Even the act of pursuing a personal passion can be a path to self-actualisation.

Consider Albert Einstein. His relentless curiosity led to breakthroughs in physics. He once said: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” His story illustrates how self-actualisation isn’t about talent or achievement alone—it’s about a deep, inner drive to explore and grow.

Authentic Living as the True Path to Fulfilment

Studies show that pursuing B-Need activities, aligned with our true selves, leads to greater happiness. In fact, those who engage in such activities—through careers, hobbies, or personal interests—report higher levels of fulfilment.

Importantly, self-actualisation isn’t something you achieve once and forget about. As Carl Rogers noted: “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” Growth is ongoing. It’s not about ticking off a list of achievements, but about living authentically every day.

Answering the Call to Become More

The real challenge is this: How do you respond to the call of B-Need? How do you embrace the potential for growth that goes beyond survival and success?

No matter your role—whether artist, scientist, or entrepreneur—there is a deeper purpose to discover. Self-actualisation is not about following someone else’s definition of success but about discovering what feels meaningful to you. The journey is constant, but it’s in this process of becoming that we find true fulfilment.

So, how will you answer the call to become the best version of yourself? The potential is already within you—the task is simply to recognise it.

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