Lab #62: What is Self-Actualization?

Self-actualization is an important concept to understand for people who want to reach their full potential in life.

Becoming a self-actualized person can take time and effort but the journey is worth it because it will lead to a happier and more fulfilled life.

This is true for everyone, and it’s especially beneficial for those in addiction recovery to strive for self-actualization during the healing process.

What is Self-Actualization?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of self-actualization is, “to realize fully one’s potential.”

In essence, self-actualization means becoming the best version of yourself and realizing your full potential and capabilities. This applies to professionals, students, athletes, artists, and anyone who wants to become the best they can be personally.

The concept was first introduced by psychiatrist Kurt Goldstein in his book, The Organism, in 1934. It later became popular as part of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Maslow’s original hierarchy, categorized basic human needs into five levels on a pyramid:

1. Physiological
2. Safety
3. Love and Belonging
4. Esteem
5. Self-Actualization

Self-actualization needs are at the top of Maslow’s triangle and achieving this level can only be attained after the lower levels of basic needs are met first.

Maslow theorized that self-actualization is an ongoing process of developing a person’s physical and emotional abilities to become the best version they can be as an individual.

Reaching this highest level of human needs is motivated by an internal drive of personal growth and is not guided by external forces. In other words, you’re only competing with yourself and not anyone else.

Characteristics of Self-Actualization

Self-actualization is a continuous process of personal growth to become the best version possible and reach one’s full potential. Here are some traits shared by self-actualized individuals:

• Acceptance of self and others
• Spontaneity
• Creativity
• Strong ethical standards and values
• Meaningful relationships with others
• Independence and autonomy
• Comfortable being alone
• Finding joy in humor
• Appreciation for life, beauty, connection
• Strong sense of purpose
• Commitment to growth

Self-Actualization Examples

Self-actualization can be found in many different forms depending on the unique needs, wants, and goals of each individual.

It can be realized by achieving aspirations, having peak experiences, finding inner peace, or fulfilling long-held dreams.

Common examples include:

• Olympic athlete winning a gold medal
• Actor receiving an Oscar at the Academy Awards
• Student being named class valedictorian
• Writer winning a Pulitzer Prize
• Scientist earning the Nobel prize
• Race car driver winning the Indy 500
• Astronaut walking on the moon

These examples are highly prized, and rare feats only reached by a small number of people.

Maslow considered Mahatma Gandhi a perfect example of a self-actualized person for overcoming difficulties in life yet, having a strong sense of purpose and being able to inspire millions of others.

While these examples may seem out of reach for many, it is still possible to reach self-actualization on a more personal level.

The journey to reaching it is just as important as the destination. The first part of the word “self” refers to continuous self-growth and self-improvement throughout your entire life.

An athlete never stops training and a writer is always writing because they both want to become the best they can be at their personal pursuits.

Ways to Achieve Self-Actualization

The journey to self-actualization begins by staying true to yourself and your values, setting goals, having high standards, a strong sense of purpose, and striving for inner peace, among other things.

Gestalt Therapy techniques can be effective for learning self-actualization skills, but there are also many ways to attain it outside of therapy sessions.

Tips for becoming self-actualized

• Set achievable goals
• Practice your skills continuously
• Always be learning
• Be passionate about your goals
• Cultivate a growth mindset
• Be present and mindful at all times
• Accept the good and bad in yourself
• Practice honesty and authenticity
• Explore new experiences
• Help others
• Contribute to the greater good
• Develop worthwhile relationships
• Take responsibility for your actions
• Embrace the journey
• Stay positive
• Celebrate your achievements

Looking at the list of ways to achieve self-actualization seems like an extremely tall order and nearly impossible to attain.

Even though that may be true, it shouldn’t stop anyone from trying. It should be recognized as a lifelong pursuit of personal growth to reach one’s full potential.

The journey is equally as important as the destination, and inner peace and fulfillment, rather than perfection, is the reward.

Someone once asked the Dalai Lama after 60 years of meditating daily why he continues to do it, and he responded that he still hasn’t mastered it yet.

What does it mean to be self-actualized?

Self-actualization means to reach one’s full human potential of personal awareness, growth, and development in pursuit of one's passions and interests.

According to Maslow, it can only be attained after the four basic human needs of physiological, safety, love and belonging, and esteem have been met.

How can I start working towards self-actualization?

To start working towards realizing your full potential, it’s necessary to understand above all else, it is an ongoing process that is difficult to attain, and the journey is part of the reward.

The first step is to identify your passions and objectives and set achievable goals for reaching them.

Make a commitment to personal growth and becoming the best person you can be. The only person you are competing with on this journey is yourself.

Practice spiritual wellness activities while being mindful of the present moment and becoming aware of your values, motivations, thoughts, and feelings.

Be open, honest, compassionate, and accepting of yourself and others.

Cultivate meaningful relationships and show gratitude and appreciation for the world and others.

Instead of searching for perfection, the goal is continuous personal growth and development.

How is self-actualization connected to addiction recovery?

Self-actualization is connected to addiction recovery in several ways and can be helpful for successfully overcoming drug or alcohol dependence.

1. Promotes Motivation and Goal Achievement

Striving to reach self-actualization promotes the motivation necessary to move from wanting to become sober to actively working toward that goal.

It inspires individuals to make their recovery goals a reality, rather than simply hoping for a positive outcome to appear on its own.

2. Helps to Overcome Obstacles

Recovery involves confronting and overcoming difficult challenges, such as mental health issues and the fear of change. Recovery is a major life change, so cultivating a personal growth mindset can stimulate a person to become their best self.

3. Improves Accountability

The journey to self-actualization helps individuals hold themselves accountable for their recovery goals and encourages them to take responsibility for their actions and behaviors.

4. Focuses on the Hierarchy of Needs

Addiction often disrupts Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It’s common that basic human needs are not being met for people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.

The term dry drunk refers to an individual who stops drinking alcohol but still has unmet needs related to addiction.

Setting a goal of achieving self-actualization starts at the bottom of Maslow’s pyramid to restore the basic needs first to create a stable foundation for recovery to be successful.

5. Motivates a Sense of Purpose

As individuals progress in recovery, replacing substance use with a healthier motivation and sense of purpose can provide the fulfillment necessary for improvement.

6. Inspires Personal Growth

Self-actualization in recovery is not just about abstaining from substances, but about personal growth and development. It encourages individuals to continually work on themselves to reach their full potential.

7. Builds Resilience

The ongoing process of self-actualization helps build the resilience needed to maintain long-term sobriety by learning to cope with relapse triggers caused by daily challenges and stressors.

By focusing on self-actualization, individuals in recovery can move beyond simply managing their addiction to creating a happier life driven by a sense of purpose and personal accomplishment.

How can self-actualization impact mental health?

If a person’s basic needs are met, self-actualization can have a positive impact on mental health in several ways. Here are some examples:

1. Enhances emotional well-being
2. Promotes a sense of self-esteem
3. Builds resilience
4. Motivates goal achievement and accomplishments
5. Improves physiological, safety, love and belonging, and esteem needs
6. Strengthens coping strategies and problem-solving skills
7. Boosts self-awareness
8. Embraces meaningful relations and social connection