In the motivational theory, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, he depicted human needs as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.
In his theory, our human needs in one tier should be satisfied before we can attend to the higher level.
In this five stages model, human needs can be divided into deficiency needs ( the first four levels ) and the final top fifth level is known as the growth needs.
Maslow stated that when a deficit need has been "more or less" satisfied, an individual will habitually be directed toward meeting the next set of needs. Motivation to fulfill deficiency needs gets stronger the more deprivation or a certain need is unmet. However, growth needs continue to increase as needs continue to be met and the individual desire to grow becomes stronger, with increased motivation.
The highest level of self-actualization does not stem from deprivation but rather from the desire to grow as a person.
Self-Actualization can be described as the complete realization and fulfillment of one’s greatest potential. It refers to man's desire for self-fulfillment.
The attainment of self-actualization is a continuous lifelong fluid process of recovery, change, and development whereby an individual’s self-concept continually enhances via self-reflection and reinterpreting various experiences to allow attainment of one's maximum potential.
For self-actualization to be achieved a person must be in a state of congruence.
A congruent state is achieved when a person’s “ideal self” (i.e., who they would like to be) is congruent with their actual behavior "self-image".
Carl Rogers posits that the structure of the self is a consistent yet fluid pattern of perceptions of oneself, that is organized and formed via continuous evaluations and self-interactions.
A process of always becoming and changing.
To be able to get closer to your ideal self, one must be patient and relentless in observing his mind and thinking habits. Practice the habit of thinking about thinking.
The practice of observing your thinking, and reflect on your own cognitive processes 'metacognition'.
The practice of thinking about your thinking is not easy. It is a lifelong deliberate practice. It requires continuous self-monitoring and self-regulation. Simply, being aware of your mind.
If you've tried meditation at any point, you probably have realized how hard it is to observe or control intrusive thoughts and ideas in your mind.
Commonly exampled by the saying .. don't think of a pink elephant.
So how do we go on to understand our thought processes?
or how do we interpret how our mind interprets the world around it?
if you've observed your thinking process long enough, you'll probably have noted a set of common scenarios and triggers linked to certain outcomes, repeatedly enough to give you the ability to predict a certain trigger will cause a specific outcome.
This algorithmic thinking process is what is commonly known as mental models.
Learning more and more about mental models gives you the right toolbox to further understand yourself and be able to observe, interpret, predict and with persistence possibly tweak your brain to a much higher capacity, closer by the day to reaching your self-actualization.
To be able to better understand the world around you and most importantly your inner self, more effort should be spent in building your latticework of mental models.
This will allow you to understand and simplify complex matters around you. and help you to expand your reflection and perception of the life around you from multiple dimensions and perspectives.
It's as if using a magnifying lens to watch where our thoughts are taking us, eliminating the blind spots (biases) on our path one by one, revealing more truth and clarity, expanding our insight and awareness.
Think of the reality you are living in as being distortivly perceived in your mind. And by Picking the right mental model you are clearing the glass through which you see the world. Plus, empowered by this clarity and understanding you can bend your triggered algorithms away from unwanted outcomes and toward favored ones.
"Mental models are the mental constructs that dictate the decisions that we take and the actions taht we enagage in" P.Senge
So how do we tweak our brain algorithms, and start using our mental models' toolbox?
let's take a quick look at the ladder of inference:
To understand our process of decision-making, we must understand the ladder of inference.
Where we collect data habitually as we go through our daily lives, and once we make decisions we use a short circuit to make assumptions and draw conclusions based on the quick raw data we have and our brain quickly climbs to take actions.
This short circuit is essential for our survival to be able to react quickly on a fast-paced day-to-day activities.
But this will also influence our interpretation of the world around us, conclusions we draw, and beliefs we choose to assume. If we weren't aware of the data we select .. our actions and judgments will depend on the limited data that we falsely choose to select.
How to avoid jumping to conclusions?
Observe your thought cycle. Watch carefully your triggers and emotional output and behaviors.
To reach self-mastery monitor those three components: Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral.
Step outside your mind. be a mindful observer of your thinking process.
Our perception of self is an illusory fluid false perception that we self identify with. Keep questioning your self-perception of who you really are?
cognitive biases are reflexive inferences that run below our conscious awareness.
Take note of your mental algorithms.
Before making any decision :
Observe reality.
Are there other sources of data I didn't consider?
Are these the true assumptions, are there other meanings I did not consider?
Is the data I have enough to make this conclusion?
Are there other assumptions that could be made to change my belief?
Is this action based on the right data, assumptions, and beliefs?
is this the right action? What are some other alternative options?
Further reading:
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