Maslow Theory of Motivation

What You Do Not Understand WILL Hurt Your Motivation

Maslow theory of motivation is quite popular. It theorizes there are five subsequent levels of human needs which motivate you. The first four levels are related to deficiency (lacking) needs which must be met before you can attain the highest level.

Level 1: Physiological Needs (physical) breathing, food, water, sex, sleep, Homeostasis (stable/constant condition), excretion
Level 2: Safety: security of body, of employment, of resources, of morality, of health, of property
Level 3: Love/Belonging: friendship, family, sexual intimacy
Level 4: Esteem: self- esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of other, respect by others
Level 5: Self Actualization: morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem-solving, lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts

Maslow Theory of Motivation Factors:

Your most basic needs are physiological. These needs definitely impact your motivation. They are: being unable to breath, hunger, thirst, tiredness, stress, need to eliminate bodily waste (constipation or bladder control problems).

Consciously or subconsciously you are induced to meet basic needs first. This is why it is difficult for many people to diet, because they do not appropriately adjust for hunger. Additionally, this is why stress is a huge impact to our ability to stay motivated. Our bodies are spurring us to satisfy a greater need - returning our body to a stable state.

You Need to Feel Safe

Safety needs motivate you to certain actions as well. These needs are: threat of/or bodily harm, lack of employment, lack of resources or way to obtain resources (ex. money), poor health, threat or loss of shelter (home).

As long as your physical needs are satisfied you'll turn your attention to ensuring your safety needs are met. For example, if you need to find a job but are too tired you are less motivated to search (not because you do not want to, but because there is an underlying need causing conflicting motivation).

You Want to Belong

Everyone is motivated by the need to feel loved or to belong. This need focuses on: lack of/loss of friend(s), family issues, intimacy issues/lack of intimacy.

It is difficult to focus on self motivation if you are out of sorts with friends, family, or feel isolated. Consequently, peer pressure and family discouragement against set goals or dreams can lessen motivation.

You Want to Feel Valued

The need for Esteem influences motivation as well. Impacts are: low self-esteem, lack of confidence, no achievement, no respect for others, not respected by others.

It is very difficult to be motivated to succeed when you lack confidence in yourself. Equally, it is difficult to find motivation or be motivated by someone or a situation you do not respect.

The Ultimate Level of Maslow Theory of Motivation

You Want to Reach Your Full Potential

Self Actualization is the highest level of need which impacts your motivation. Impacts are: lack of problem-solving, prejudice (narrow minded), not willing to accept facts.

I believe it is difficult to sustain motivation or develop motivational skills when you are narrow minded, lack problem-solving, and/or creativity. These traits do not cultivate the identification of options or the willingness to keep motivating yourself. Therefore, the inability to sustain motivation is often rationalized away.

One final note about Maslow Theory of Motivation. You always build from one level of need to the next. Meaning until your physical needs are met you will not be motivated to attain safety needs, etc... However, if a need in a lower level is no longer met, you will be induced to refocus on that need (no matter what else you are motivated to do).

Realize this is not permanent. For example, if you are at the love/belonging level and motivated to make a new relationship work, but become seriously ill, you will spend a great deal of time concentrating on you health (physiological needs), but will continue to value the need to build that relationship. Once your health returns then your focus will as well.