Self-Actualization

According to Maslow, humans strive to achieve what he calls “self-actualization”- or as I would rather call it- “realization and execution of potential”. This can only occur once the lower levels of Maslows hierarchy of needs are secure, and few ever actually reach the top of this pyramid. Why? Some never reach this level for things out of their control, such as socioeconomic situation, but most are just too damn lazy! They are content to sit back and watch the world revolve around them. Everybody is good at something, and anybody can be good at anything; MEDIOCRITY IS A CHOICE!

Well, now that I have that little rant out of my system, on with the assignment… I don’t think there is one universal system that one can follow to achieve “actualization”. I have thought long and hard about this, yet the only thing actualized individuals have in common are the following traits: dedication, hard work, and adaptability. The first two are fairly obvious, but adaptability needs to be defined. Adaptability is not only the ability to react dynamically to any obstacle life can throw at you, but also the ability to change your lifestyle to one more conducive of progress in your given field. An example from my own life: as a competitive powerlifter, I have to make my body as efficient as possible at gaining strength. To do this I have made many changes to my lifestyle; I have cleaned up my diet, become more efficient with time management, forced myself to sleep more, and (almost) completely gave up alcohol. Since making these changes I have transformed from an “average” strength athlete to an “elite” one, I have seen consistent progress, and was recently invited to my first Pro-Am; none of this could have been accomplished without the dedication, hard work, and adaptation I have put in.