Wellness

Self-Actualization Theory: How to Achieve Self-Actualization

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Apr 21, 2022 • 3 min read

As the ultimate goal of a popular theory of human motivation in humanistic psychology, self-actualization occurs when you achieve your highest potential in life. Learn more about this positive theory of motivation and personality, and how you can get started on your own process of self-actualization.

Learn From the Best

What Is Self-Actualization?

The psychological concept of self-actualization refers to an advanced level of well-being that a person who has realized their full potential in life can achieve. Self-actualizing people have realized their highest potentialities in all aspects of life—interpersonal, psychological, intellectual, and professional—opening them up to devote ample creative energy to all of their endeavors.

Famous psychologists Kurt Goldstein, Abraham Maslow, and Carl Rogers are among the most notable names associated with this psychological health concept.

Maslow’s Theory of Self-Actualization

Humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory of motivation identifying five categories of human needs that dictate an individual’s behavior. Those needs are physiological (or basic needs like food for survival), safety (food, water, and sleep), love and belongingness (or unconditional positive regard), esteem (dignity, sense of self, and achievement), and self-actualization. These needs are often visually represented in a pyramid shape. A person can only move on to addressing the higher-level needs when they’ve fulfilled more basic, lower-level needs.

Occupying the highest level on the pyramid, self-actualization describes the fulfillment of your full potential as a person. Self-actualization needs include education, skill development—the refining of talents in areas such as music, athletics, design, cooking, and gardening—caring for others, and broader goals like learning a new language, traveling to new places, and winning awards. Once a person reaches the self-actualization stage of the hierarchy, they can devote ample creative energy to personal growth, development, and relationships.

4 Characteristics of a Self-Actualized Person

Common characteristics of self-actualization include:

  1. 1. A sense of purpose: Having realized their own vision of success and happiness through a breadth of life experiences, a self-actualized person is at peace and confident in continuing to pursue their life’s mission. In addition, they often have a desire to help others and the world around them.
  2. 2. Self-determination: Rather than relying upon external motivators like praise, good grades, or pleasing others, self-actualized people are intrinsically motivated by self-esteem to achieve their goals. These people will have a vision of what they want in their own lives and how they will get it, tackling problem-solving along the way with aplomb.
  3. 3. Appreciation and acceptance of others: A self-actualized person often has meaningful relationships with others. Even in the face of conflict with others, self-actualized people maintain a sense of humor and understanding.
  4. 4. Good ethical judgment: Self-actualized people are confident in their moral compasses. They can make calls based on their own ethical judgment, without being swayed by a crowd.

How to Achieve Self-Actualization

You can take several steps to reach your fullest potential, including:

  • Know and accept yourself. To self-actualize, you must first reach self-acceptance, which requires non-judgmental self-awareness and a deep understanding of oneself. Take time to get to know yourself, your needs, and your flaws. Be honest with yourself about all these variables, without judging yourself. You can work on things you want to improve while celebrating your strengths.
  • Live in the moment. Staying present and not worrying about future events will bring a fresh appreciation to all situations, new and familiar. These new experiences will help you maintain perspective, curiosity, and gratitude for the small moments in life. Developing a mindfulness practice can help you along the way.
  • Learn to be independent. Self-actualization requires you to be comfortable making your own decisions. Learn to take action without external influence and develop comfort doing things alone. Live your life according to your own vision, not what friends, family, or society may expect from you.
  • Remove self-doubt and negativity. Since self-actualization is about reaching your fullest human potential, removing limiting beliefs—which can create imaginary negative boundaries—is key. Devote time and energy to maintaining your mental health and recognize negative self-talk when it arises.
  • Work on your relationships. An element of self-actualization is accepting others and having meaningful relationships. Be compassionate towards others and accepting of their flaws.
  • Have peak experiences. These eye-opening experiences often occur in nature when you’re grounded by the largeness and interconnectedness of the world. Maslow linked these occurrences to self-actualization and self-transcendence, which is the desire to be connected to the universe and nature.

You’re Worth It

Figuring out what you want to do next and how to get there? Learn how to embrace your passions with a MasterClass Annual Membership and find the grit to take control of your life with exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Robin Arzón, Elaine Welteroth, Hillary Rodham Clinton, RuPaul, and more.