Maslow rules OK!

A much needed makeover for Maslow's Hierarchy!" When I read that article recently I was decidely unsettled. Refresh Maslow? But I've been preaching his "hierachy of need" theory for over 30 years. I'm a total believer! And that's in Abraham's good old original version:

SELF-ACTUALISATION
SELF-ESTEEM
SOCIAL-ACCEPTANCE
SECURITY

SURVIVAL

I was reminded more than once of its continuing relevance when holidaying last week in beautiful South Devon. An entertaining cameo reminder came when a three-generation family arrived to set up for a day on the beach.

Food, drink, chairs and windbreaks to support Survival were tirelessly ferried from the car. Then their chosen spot was changed twice before a spot - defended at the rear by the sea wall and to the side by windbreaks - was seen to meet their Security needs. This was temporarily threatened by some self-interested positioning of chairs and disputes over towel ownership. But eventually this gave way to reconciling remarks like "eh this is the life!" and Social-Acceptance prevailed as Grandad and Dad teamed up to build a sandcastle for the little one. Unfortunately this became the usual contest of building skills as Self-esteem intervened. With public approval favouring son-in-law's efforts, Grand-dad clearly saw sand-castles as unfulfilling and ultimately went off searching the cliff face for fossils and Self-actualisation!

There are several views on how Maslow hierarchy can be improved but in general they tend to either adapt or add to Self-actualisation. Personally I can understand this because for me Self-actualisation isn't so much something you achieve but a state where you are always looking for something new.

And this was the insight I gained when chatting with two very fit and well-sussed "senior" walkers. They explained that they walk because they want to discover new places and also to progress beyond the 638 miles they've previously walked. What they are doing in the process is to continually re-ascend Maslow's hierachy each time they set off on new walking holiday. Relishing the challenge of fresh Survival, Security and Social Acceptance needs ...and boosting Self-esteem and Self-actualisation to new levels.

And for us starting over again later in life and work should be seen in the same way ...as opportunity not threat. We assume a state of finality and inevitability ...perhaps because of convention and maybe courage too?

How about taking a chance on change? It beats building sand castles.