How to find your IKIGAI? (Part-2)

I am going to discuss an interesting theory proposed by an American Psychologist, Abraham Maslow, who was well known for creating Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.

As most of us know, the societal and superficial meaning of ‘fulfillment’ comes from earning a lot of money. Well, let me share this famous theory of human motivation based on a five-stage model and give my thoughts

Physiological Needs - We all know Food, Water, Shelter, Clothing are few of the very basic needs. Until these needs are not satisfied, all other needs are just secondary. It’s difficult for us to survive without them.

Safety Needs - Once the basic physiological needs are fulfilled, we start looking for other basic needs like emotional and financial security, health safety & well-being. These needs may be fulfilled by family and society (e.g. employment, medical care & social stability).

Love and Belongingness Need – As we go along, we start to look for more interpersonal relationships - a feeling of belonging, trust, love from family, friends, and work. It helps a person to avoid feeling things like loneliness, depression, anxiety. It is important for people to feel loved and accepted by other people.

Esteem Needs- When these three levels of needs are satisfied; ‘esteem needs’ starts to play an important role in motivating our behavior. ‘Esteem Needs’ are important to gain respect and appreciation from others e.g. our status, our society, our achievements, and our mastery. This becomes an important booster for our self-esteem.

Self-Actualization Needs- After fulfilling the above needs, the topmost on the pyramid of ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs’ is Self-Actualization - What a person can be and must be. People who fully utilize their talent, potential, and capabilities are self-aware. They are among people who live in the moment and climb the ladder of personal growth.

Let us come back to the concept of IKIGAI (discussed in my previous blog), as we now know that ‘Self-Actualization’, topmost of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, is very important for our fulfillment and our growth.

Now, how to achieve that?

"WHEN OUR PASSION, MISSION, VOCATION, AND PROFESSION COMBINE HANDS, ALL DOTS GET CONNECTED AND THEN, THERE IS NO LOOKING BACK!"

We as Individuals need to find What we love? What we are passionate about? We need to see and realize What we are good at? Think over it, e.g. not all of us have a vocation to be a singer or a writer – try to see what your calling is.

Think about What the world needs? What you love and what you are good at; see whether it is aiming towards the service of the community in any form?

But, why particularly for the community?...

As one gets connected with people in any form and grows with their growth and prosperity, the level of satisfaction is above all achievements and fulfillments. For example, doctors, teachers, singers, and dance teachers, etc. provide valuable services to people. Meanwhile, one can start earning money while feeling fulfilled as well. (What you are paid for?)

Start asking yourself these questions and start working on the answers now!