A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Actualization: 5 Steps to Ensure Internal Growth

What does it mean to be a self-actualizing person? 

Are there characteristics of self-actualization

How do you know if you are a self-actualizing individual?

What are some examples of self-actualization?

To answer these questions, we need to take a brief tour through the work of psychologist Abraham Maslow.

Let’s dive in …

What Made Maslow Different

In Maslow’s era, psychology had a single-minded focus on mental illness.

Neurosis and psychosis were the central themes as psychologists sought to understand and potentially heal mental afflictions.

However, Maslow took a different approach. Instead of studying mental illness, he asked a different question:

“What does positive mental health look like?”

The summary of his lifelong research into this question yielded an original idea that’s still popular over 60 years later: self-actualization.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow has become well-known for identifying the basic human needs all humans share:

  • Physiological needs (air, water, food, homeostasis, sex)
  • Safety needs (shelter, clothes, routine, familiarity)
  • Belonging and love needs (affection; connection to family, friends, and colleagues)
  • Esteem needs (self-respect and respect from others, high evaluation of oneself, achievement, reputation/prestige)
  • Self-actualization needs (self-growth, actualizing one’s innate potential)

Most people associate Maslow’s work with the hierarchy of human needs.

A pyramid or triangle is often how we see this hierarchy illustrated:

examples of intrinsic motivation

Maslow Didn’t Construct a Pyramid

But did you know that Maslow never put these needs in a pyramid?

I believe I’ve read all of Maslow’s published work and I only recall him using the word “hierarchy” a few times! (In his paper, “A Theory of Human Motivation.”)

Maslow merely said that, in a general way, these needs are prepotent, meaning that lower-level needs have to be met before higher-level needs can become the focus of attention.

Very logical, right? You’re not going to be too invested in what people think of you (esteem needs) if you’re starving or thirsty (physiological needs). Your pride eventually breaks down when something threatens your survival.

This idea gave rise to the “hierarchy of human needs” depicted in a triangle. The triangle symbolizes a hierarchy of higher orders and a climb or ascent to the top of a ladder. But the reality is that we have all of these needs most of the time.

Growth Needs versus Basic Needs

Maslow drew a line between people motivated by growth needs and those driven by basic needs. All of the needs below self-actualization are basic human needs. Maslow also called them deficiency needs.

When these needs aren’t being met, we feel something is missing in our lives, leading us to experience tension and exhibit neurotic behavior.

Without a roof over our heads, for example, our need for security is threatened. Until we fulfill our basic needs, gratifying them dominates our attention.

But once gratified, we can shift more and more of our attention to growth needs. Whereas basic needs are external, growth needs are internal.

With growth needs, we’re no longer motivated by what other people think—family, friends, colleagues, or anyone else. Instead, we’re driven by something deeper inside of us.

Self-Actualization Definition

Maslow called those who are mainly growth-motivated self-actualizing individuals. He defined self-actualization as:

  • The ongoing actualization of potentials, capacities, and talents,
  • Fulfillment of mission (or calling, fate, destiny, or vocation),
  • A fuller knowledge of, and acceptance of, the person’s intrinsic nature, and
  • An unceasing trend toward unity, integration, or synergy within the person.

Think of self-actualization as the need to become what one has the potential to be.

self actualization characteristicsMaslow’s Definitions for Self-Actualization

Why Self-Actualize?

One realizes this potential for their own gratification—not for any external gain or concern of what others will think or say (external esteem needs).

We find self-actualizing people in virtually every field of interest, including artists, musicians, philosophers, painters, doctors, psychologists, athletes, business professionals, and martial artists.

Do we need to have all of our basic human needs met before we can pursue self-actualization?

Thankfully, no. But the less tension we feel from our basic needs, the more time and energy we have to devote to actualizing our potential.

self-actualization characteristics maslow

13 Characteristics of Self-Actualization

How do you know if you’re on your path toward self-actualization?

In Motivation and Personality (1954), Maslow included a paper titled, “Self-Actualizing People: a Study of Psychological Health.”

In this insightful report, Maslow highlights 13 characteristics of self-actualizing individuals:

1) Superior perception of reality

Self-actualizing people possess an unusual ability to judge others accurately and detect dishonesty in their personalities. With superior perception comes the capacity to determine what’s good for the person and make effective decisions.

2) Increased acceptance of self, of others, and nature

Maslow found that these mentally healthy individuals had less overriding guilt, crippling shame, and severe anxiety.

Self-actualizing people can accept their nature, including their shortcomings and contradictions, without feeling real concern. Said another way, self-actualizing people tend to know and accept their shadow.

3) Increased spontaneity

They are more spontaneous in their behavior and their lives, thoughts, and impulses. Naturalness and simplicity important characteristics of self-actualization.

4) Increase in problem-centering

They are more focused on problems outside themselves as opposed to personal issues (ego-centered). They often have missions in life and tasks to fulfill that demand much of their energy.

5) Increased detachment and desire for privacy

They are comfortable being by themselves without the neurotic need to always be around people. They positively like solitude and privacy to a greater degree than the average person.

This characteristic of self-actualization flies in the face of fundamental biases within social psychology. Despite all of the academic rhetoric, the drive to “belong” and the neurotic need to be part of social groups in adulthood signifies a lack of positive mental health, according to Maslow’s research.

6) Increased autonomy and resistance to enculturation

Self-actualizing individuals are relatively independent of their social environment. Motivated by a drive for internal growth and self-mastery, they are more focused on the development of their potentialities.

In contrast, the average person is dependent on and motivated by social or cultural forces.

7) Greater freshness of appreciation and richness of emotional reaction

They can appreciate, freshly and innocently, the inherent elements of life with awe, wonder, and pleasure long after these things become stale to others.

For example, they can gaze at a tree or a sunset for a long time without getting bored and looking for additional stimulation. With this self-actualization example, you can see how mental illness is the norm in modern society where most individuals are fixated on their screens and devices most of the time.

8) Higher frequency of peak experiences

In his book Religion, Values and Peak Experience, Maslow called this “a mystic experience or oceanic feeling.” He found that these mystical experiences are more intense forms of experiences where there’s a loss of self or transcendence of the self. According to Maslow, everyone has access to peak experiences, but self-actualizing people have them more often.

9) Increased identification with the human species

Later research in developmental psychology confirms Maslow’s observations.1Koltko-Rivera, M. E. (2004). The Psychology of Worldviews. Review of General Psychology, 8(1), 3–58. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.8.1.3

Humans develop from being identified exclusively with themselves (egocentric) to identification with a group, whether it be family, religious, or political (sociocentric) to identification with all of humanity (worldcentric).

Maslow found that self-actualizing people identify with the human family.

10) Improved interpersonal relations

Capable of greater love and more obliteration of ego boundaries, self-actualizing individuals have deeper relationships than other adults. But they may only form deeper bonds with a select few individuals, maintaining a relatively small circle of friends.

11) More democratic character structure

Another characteristic of self-actualizing individuals is that they are friendly with anyone of suitable character regardless of class, education, political belief, race, or color. Identifying more closely with the human species, they are less determined by (and often unaware of) any of these classifications.

12) Increased creativeness

A universal characteristic of all self-actualizing people Maslow studied was an increase in creative expression. This creativeness is not a “special talent” creativity that takes years of constant practice to cultivate, but rather a more innocent, playful, and spontaneous creative expression found in young children.

13) Certain changes in the value system

With their philosophic acceptance of the nature of themselves, of human nature, and of physical reality, self-actualizing individuals establish a firm value structure.

With appreciation and acceptance of human nature, many of our so-called “problems” are seen as gratuitous and fade out of existence.

Maslow did his best to isolate the characteristics of self-actualization that he observed in people with positive mental health, but he was quick to point out how interconnected these qualities are.

Self-Actualizing Individuals Are A “Different Breed”

Reflecting on his work of studying self-actualization, Maslow wrote in Toward a Psychology of Bewing:

Self-actualizing people, those who have come to a high level of maturation, health, and self-fulfillment, have so much to teach us that sometimes they seem almost like a different breed of human beings. But, because it is so new, the exploration of the highest reaches of human nature and of its ultimate possibilities and aspirations is a difficult and tortuous task.

Decades later, theorist Ken Wilber remarked that Maslow’s studies in humanistic psychology paved the way for another century of research.

Since self-actualization points us in the direction of positive mental health, let’s hope we all get a move on.

Are You Self-Actualizing?

Reviewing these characteristics of self-actualization, can you assess the progress in your development?

For example:

  • Do you invest more time in cultivating yourself?
  • Are you more spontaneous than you were ten years ago?
  • Are you more autonomous now? Are you more comfortable being alone?
  • Do you have a more democratic character structure?
  • Have you improved your ability to form deeper bonds?
  • Do you engage in forms of self-expression?

Maslow found that self-actualization occurs spontaneously as we meet our basic human needs.

characteristics of self-actualization

When you feel unsafe (safety need), unloved (belonging need), or unworthy (esteem need), your motivations are focused on meeting these needs.

When you’re out of your center, your drive to pursue basic needs takes over. However, when you access your center, there’s no longer a feeling of incompleteness. Instead, you can just be.

5 Steps to Become More Self-Actualizing

Self-actualization is a key theme of so many of my self-development guides on this site.

The path to self-actualization can begin at a young age with curiosity and an exploratory spirit. But for most of us (myself included), this curiosity wasn’t cultivated in youth; in fact, someone unknowingly squashed it.

For many adults, self-actualization comes out of a sense of dissatisfaction with how they are living or who they are becoming. An inner knowing arises that we are capable of more. (Perhaps that’s how you got to this guide?)

Once you rekindle the self-actualization fire within you, your adventure begins.

It often starts with a lot of reading and eventually ripens into practice.

You begin to see that there is an infinite number of ways you can develop your gifts and intelligence.

You might dive deep into certain practices right away or skim the surface in a lot of ponds first. Everyone is different.

Here are five steps you can take right now to gain a stronger footing on your path toward self-actualization:

Step 1: Get to know your core strengths.

Knowing your strengths will help you save time and focus on what comes naturally to you. As Joseph Campbell said, “Follow your bliss.” Do what you enjoy and what interests you.

Find your signature strengths >

Step 2: Learn how to stay in your center.

It’s a foundational skill for learning anything. I wish I discovered it a decade ago. The feeling of unmet basic needs makes us neurotic. Quieting this neurosis helps us redirect our energy within ourselves.

Learn how to find your center >

Step 3: Craft a personal vision for the person you’re becoming.

This world is driven by an unprecedented level of distraction and continuous stimulation. Without a clear vision for yourself, it’s easy to get derailed in your development. The clarity a solid vision brings is undeniable.

Clarify your personal vision >

Step 4: Put together a basic personal development plan.

Similar to having a vision, a simple and clear plan will help you cut through distractions and focus on what’s most important to you.

Create your personal development plan >

Step 5: Walk your path toward self-mastery.

It’s important to understand that we all fear and resist growth. Knowing how to overcome internal resistance is critical if you want to actualize your potential. Maslow made many observations on this internal tension.

Learn how to navigate through internal resistance >

Final Thoughts on Self-Actualization

Self-actualization, Maslow explains, is a sign of positive mental health. Self-actualization isn’t for a gifted few. It’s everyone’s birthright.

Many of us resist self-actualization because of fear. Maslow called this “aborted self-actualization.”

We do this without knowing it. When we’re spending most of our time-consuming media, for example, we’ve walked off our path.

The good news is that as soon as we realize it, we can start anew, right here and now.

Follow your interests—those things that light your fire and ignite your curiosity—and see where it will take you.

As Joseph Campbell often put it, “Follow your bliss.”

It’s an awesome adventure of discovery and growth.


Awaken Your Mind with a Digital App?

Okay, so what I’m going to share with you now may sound like science fiction.

Eric Thompson is the founder of Subtle Energy Sciences. Using quantum resonance technology, Eric engineered a method of encoding digital images and sound files with specific energy signatures. The result is what he calls Digital Mandalas, which combine beautiful digital art with layers of various energy-related sound technology.

This digital media program broadcasts the amplified energetic signature of what’s called “Awaken the Mind.” The brainwave pattern featured in Awaken the Mind is a rare brainwave pattern first identified by British researcher C. Maxwell Cade. Cade found that this pattern represents the integration of meditative states of consciousness with the normal, waking state in a unified state of mind.

I always have at least one of Eric’s mandalas running on my computer and other devices (usually more than one). Now, if you don’t have energetic sensitivity, you may feel nothing at first. If that’s the case, Eric offers various ways to augment and optimize the effects.

If you’re open to exploring new technologies to support your self-development, check out Awaken the Mind.

Use code CEOSAGE30 for a 30% discount on Awaken the Mind.

(Disclaimer: affiliate link above) 


Suggested Reading on Self-Actualization

Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment
by George Leonard

Paperback | Kindle

Leonard is one of the pioneers in the field of personal coaching and the “human potential movement” (he coined the term). A third-degree black belt in Aikido, Leonard ran an Aikido school and was the president of the Esalen Institute. Esalen was a hotbed for new ideas in human potential in the 70s and 80s.

In Mastery, Leonard demonstrates his knowledge and experience as someone walking the path of self-actualization. I wish I read this book in my 20s. My self-mastery guide was highly influenced by this small, yet powerful book.

The Farthest Reaches of the Human Nature
by Abraham Maslow

Paperback

Maslow is perhaps my favorite psychologist and one of the most influential thinkers of the past century. Maslow’s strengths didn’t rest in his writing but in his observations about humanity.

Although he’s most well-known for the hierarchy of human needs, his insights span far beyond that. Most of his work is in the form of papers and textbooks. The Farthest Reaches was a collection of selected papers published after Maslow passed away.

Years ago, I wrote a book on creativity and The Farthest Reaches was a big influence in that work.

Read Next

Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Motivation (Complete Guide)

The Three Stages of Self-Discovery

The Four Stages of Learning Anything

The Ultimate Guide to Self-Transcendence

    • Thanks, Dave. The Circle of Courage looks interesting — especially as a model for “positive youth development.” I love that such a phrase even exists (positive youth development) and if I worked with kids, I could see myself being passionate about the Circle too. Thanks for sharing.

  • Thanks Scott. The qualities Maslow so aptly describes are not only ones that other people appreciate but also ones that other people often find odd, disconcerting, or something to be afraid of. Most people are never really comfortable with someone who doesn’t socialize or doesn’t seem to need them or who doesn’t seem to care too much what others think about them. What do you think about that?

    • That’s so true, Donna. The path of self-actualization or individuation (as Jung called it) can definitely feel isolating at times. The further one moves outside of conventional behavior and values, the more solitude or isolation one can meet along the way.

      It’s as if there’s a gravitational pull toward over-socialization. This is partly due to our collective bias toward extroversion. I was considering doing a future blog post on this, but Susan Cain highlights this point in her TED talk on The Power of Introverts.

      On the positive side, as we continue on our path toward individuation we often meet others who are also following their own path. These folks tend to share similar value structures so that social tensions tend to be present to a lesser degree.

      But in the end, you are likely to upset others by walking your own path. Self-actualization, and individuation more specifically, requires a great deal of courage and the ability to establish clear boundaries (while still exhibiting compassion and concern for others).

      • The line “Self-actualization, and individuation more specifically, requires a great deal of courage and the ability to establish clear boundaries (while still exhibiting compassion and concern for others).” resonates entirely with my personal experiences as well.

        Many times I’ve discovered people carry expectations, many times undisclosed, which when unmet become resentments long term. Long term resentments often create distension and separation, which does not allow for a healthy dynamics to flourish on an interpersonal level. When clear boundaries are established via compassion and concern for others, as you mentioned, Scott, it becomes more about the willingness to change oneself than asking anyone else to change.

        This to me, is where courage comes into play. I’ve observed that it’s often easier to blame another for one’s mishap, unfortune, etc. (so called victimhood) than take full ownership and responsibility. To me, part of self-actualization is about taking full ownership of one’s relationships, not in a controlling way, but in a way of understanding one’s limitations, expectations, needs, boundaries, etc.

        • This rings true for me, Dave.

          In order to actualize what you’re suggesting, we need emotional intelligence. That is, we need to cultivate self-awareness to realize how we’re feeling, self-regulation to control our reactions, and empathy and compassion in order to communicate with others in a supportive and open-hearted way.

          And emotional intelligence, neurologists and psychologists are telling us, is developed through mindfulness meditation, which will be an important topic for future discussion…

          • Awesome. Reading your words elicits a smile because I’d never really articulated or seen an articulation of what has been intuited with regards to emotional intelligence as you just wrote so beautifully and concisely. Very cool Scott. Thank you.

            Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence, as I’ve read about in Daniel Goleman’s work, has always fascinated me, particularly in relation to how anger feeds anger in the brain and how insulting others is actually harming oneself. Sarcasm was a theme in Goleman’s work that caught my attention and I once was overly sensitive to it, perhaps because I judged it negatively. But with time, I came to realize that it’s just a form of ‘joking’ some folks use to cope with life and while it might not be for me, I understand why it might get used so that it’s not a ‘trigger’ for me.

            I like how you wrote, “we need to cultivate self-awareness to realize how we’re feeling, self-regulation to control our reactions, and empathy and compassion in order to communicate with others in a supportive and open-hearted way,”

            Most of this rang true within me.

            Perhaps the only difference as I experience it via a difference in semantics might be with the word ‘adjust’ our reactions as opposed to ‘control’ them. I say this because many reactions or spontaneous experiences that arise from within, such as thoughts that occur within me are not necessarily something I control, but rather might be something I work to adjust. The term ‘adjusting’ has a more flexible and human feeling to me whereas ‘control’ feels more rigid and robotic, I guess.

            For example, in certain situations, I may be able to adjust my thoughts or feelings more easily based on what I am sensing in the environment around me, but due to some internal issues or blocks that I still struggle with at times, I realize adjusting is not always easy in the presence of certain folks or environments and this is the part of cultivation I like to work on towards becoming more self-actualized because I believe being comfortably ordinary among all different folks is a sign of internal growth. You know what I mean?

            Thanks for bringing up meditation too and I look forward to reading your insights on the subject. Meditation is something I like to do everyday (since 97), but never knew or thought about it’s relation to the cultivation of EQ. I have noticed that if I meditate too much, my capacity to stay grounded is somewhat limited as I become overly sensitive and in many ways this is detrimental to my capacity to connect with others in an open-hearted, light-hearted, genuine, and ordinary way.

            At this point in life, I find meditation like exercise or diet is something important for overall well-being, but it requires a balanced approach and at different cycles or times of the year it may be preferred more often than not. Like in the winter, which feels more Yin or internal, I tend to prefer longer meditation, whereas in the spring, I tend to prefer more physical activity…

          • Dave,

            Regarding “control”: when I say “control our reactions” I’m referring to our response to outer stimuli. We obviously cannot control our feelings and our emotions as they arise, but with greater mindfulness, we have more and more of a choice of how we react. Let’s say, for example, someone makes a crude remark to you in a meeting. With mindfulness and higher E.I., you might experience the feeling of anger, but have a choice of whether or not you want to express it (your reaction to the stimuli). In this way, we can cultivate self-regulation and self-control through our practice.

            Regarding your observations about meditation: this entirely depends on the type of meditation you’re practicing. For many years I was following various meditative instructions provided by David R. Hawkins. And yes, my experience was similar to yours: I was less grounded and less socially engaged. However, with mindfulness-based practices (done in conjunction with Tonglen, a form of open-hearted meditation), I’ve experienced just the opposite. Meditation brings me closer to my self, makes me feel more grounded, more embodied, and more connected to my humanity. I’ve discovered this with various meditative practices that are more integrative (that is, they don’t divorce the body from the head; they include both).

          • Hi Donna! Nice to meet you as well! I appreciate the opportunity to learn and exchange with you too.

            Hi again Scott,

            Thank you for clarifying what you meant by ‘control our reactions.’ In the context you just described, it makes more sense for me both mentally and emotionally. In some respects, the idea of controlling our emotions reminds me of the analogy of standing on a bridge when the water rushes below. In other words, when strong emotions arise, try to move onto the bridge until the water calms so as not to be swept up by the rushing waters. In this way, our behaviors are not overly dictated by wild emotions based in self-protection or defense, but derive more from a place of love and compassion as you alluded to in a mindful way.

            Also, I appreciate what you’ve shared regarding your experiences with meditation and thank you for taking the time to share them. I look forward to seeing your upcoming blog posts on meditation and promise I won’t write a dissertation to respond to everyone (smile).

            With regard to your last reply, I particularly found the terms you used “divorce the body from the head” interesting as I have seen this is many spiritual circles over the years and experienced it for some time. In fact, it was at that time when I met my wife who helped me learn to be more grounded or I would have been really been lost.

            Over the years, I’ve observed many folks become so ungrounded by the ‘high’ of meditation that they struggle with daily life integration and cultivation and sometimes avoid dealing with internal issues through deeper inner work.

            Switching gears, the work I’ve read from you feels very open-hearted in a grounded way, which to me, indicates that the works you create come from your heart and that’s why I enjoy reading them so much.

            Also, thanks for taking time to accept what I’ve posted and commented on it. I imagine you have a very busy schedule and I value greatly what I’ve learned in each exchange and hope you don’t mind me sharing my child-like enthusiasm.

            Warm Regards,

            Dave

  • Very interesting article Scott. I am very invested in a path of self actualising and at at times have dissociated from physical needs – cashflow and physical fitness to offer a couple of examples.

    Learning to “transcend and include” as Ken Wilber says and have you to thank for introducing this concept of crucial importance for me.

    And reading suggestions for managing money on the spiritual path?

    Keep up the good work.

    • Hi Michael,

      I can definitely relate. It’s so much easier to divorce and dissociate than it is to say “yes – and.”

      Maslow’s hierarchy is helpful here. The levels of physiology and security are basic biological needs. They never go away. The higher levels of self actualization and self transcendence cannot be sustained without these lower needs being gratified.

      Also, contemplative practices are supported by a healthy, vital body, as neuroscience is beginning to discover.

      On the topic of money, specifically, the main issue I’ve observed in many spiritually-oriented people is their beliefs and associations around money and people who have money. For example, “Money is evil” or “Only corrupt people have money” or “Spiritually enlightened people aren’t wealthy.” Examining these beliefs and correcting them with a more realistic filter is essential. Seeing money as a form of energy and an exchange of value have been supportive ideas for me personally.

      As for reading material, you may want to check out “The Energy of Money” by Marla Nemeth.

  • Wow, great article. The hierarchy of needs and Maslow’s other teachings certainly have had a lasting effect on me since I started exploring the subject. Personal growth, a sense of self-worth, and overall happiness and understanding of the world around you are definitely bi-products of studying self-actualization.

  • “Self-actualization, Maslow explains, is a sign of positive mental health. Self-actualization isn’t for a gifted few. It’s everyone’s birthright.” A quote I will add to my classroom

  • Hi Scott,
    I still did not get The Self-Actualization Manifesto by email, I click on the Get Access button fill the form and nothing shows up.
    I’m able to receive your other emails fine.
    By the way, very nice work you put on your other site, much needed work on the psychology of the parasites and the awakened mind.

  • >