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Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a common, yet often overlooked tool that life coaches can use to help clients identify their desires.
Maslow’s pyramid is a helpful visual to use so clients understand need fulfillment.
However, I’ve noticed that often someone will want to jump ahead to needs that are more at the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid before handling their more basic needs. For example, she’ll want to work on needs of self-transcendence, but she’s still struggling to meet her security needs of a quiet, comfortable space. Or she’s looking to achieve deep self-actualization needs but she’s deeply struggling with love and belonging needs.
I think that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is not a linear process of fulfillment, but instead a life long process of ebb and flow. Sometimes we think we are solid on love and belonging needs, but experience a set back that forces us to back away on more developed needs to handle more immediate needs.
Assessing self-fulfillment needs is an essential part of growth, and the lifelong pursuit of higher purpose.
To help you serve your clients more effectively with need fulfillment, I’ve created a set of questions that can guide you to understand where they are in the model, and if they need to take a few steps back to handle foundational needs before doing the work of self-transcendence.
Level 1: Psychological Needs
- How much water do you drink?
- What is your diet like?
- How much sleep do you get every night?
Level 2: Security Needs
- Is your home safe?
- Do you have quiet space?
- Is your home a place you like to be?
Level 3: Love and Belonging
- Describe a loving, nurturing relationship in your life? How do they support you?
- Where do you find your deepest sense of belonging?
- Who do you GIVE love and support to the most in your life?
Level 4: Esteem Skills/Honor/Recognition
- What have you achieved that you are proud of?
- What is something that you have worked for?
- Describe something you achieved that you were recognized for?
- Describe what you would like to be valued for?
Level 5: Self Actualization
- Describe what you think your highest potential is?
- What MUST you achieve in life to feel like you lived your life well?
Level 6: Self Transcendence
- Describe how you/your work might fit into the fabric of mankind?
- What is your legacy for the next generations?
Use these questions with your client to help determine which area of her fulfillment needs to tackle first.
