There are various models that describe our fundamental human needs.
The needs that, as human beings, have to be met for us to feel content.
If these needs are not being met, we’ll feel something else, like stress, discomfort, depression, anxiety, frustration etc.
Our environment and what we choose to do, both contribute to how well our needs are met.
When it comes to our part in satisfying our needs, we may choose healthy ways to satisfy them, which don’t negatively impact on others or the environment (‘ecological ways’)…or not.
Why should you care about human needs?
If you’re feeling at all ‘off’ or like there is something missing, it can be very useful to review your human needs:
How well are they being met, and
Are you meeting them in a healthy, ecological way?
Where you feel they are not being met well, or recognise you are meeting your needs in an unhealthy or un-ecological way, have a think about what you could do to improve how to meet your needs, so you can be more content.
Human needs review exercise
I’ve combined my 4 favourite models of human needs (listed out with references at the end of the blog), and added ‘self-care’ to the list, to come up with my list of human needs.
I think self-care is a key need for maintaining balance and resilience.
List of human needs
Self-Care - Doing things that are fun, that make you happy, give you joy, ‘feed your soul’ and restore your energy.
Certainty - Safety and security. In terms of health and environment.
Significance - Status, praise, recognition.
Achievement - Doing something you feel competent at.
Connection - Giving and receiving attention.
Emotional intimacy - Spending time with someone who you can totally be yourself with, however you are feeling.
Feeling part of a community.
Control - Having some responsibility and autonomy.
Variety - Doing different things.
Meaning and purpose - Feeling as if you are contributing, achieving or working toward something that is important for you.
Growth/Self-development.
Privacy - the opportunity for time out to think or reflect.
The exercise
How well is each need currently being met, on a score of 1 (not at all) to 10 (need is being met completely),
How are you meeting each need? Are you meeting the need in a healthy, ecological way?
Which needs do you feel are below average or need attention?
What are all the different ways that you can think of to improve how well you can satisfy those needs, given any environmental restrictions? What could you do? What could you say to yourself that would help? Would a different focus or perspective make a difference?
What needs to change in your life to be able to adequately satisfy all your needs?
Be as creative as you can be!!
Small things can make a big difference.
This exercise is a great way to increase self-awareness. The results can be a really useful starting point if you want to work with a coach to help you make changes for a more content life.
If you’d like to explore how coaching can help in this area, please book a free call.
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For reference: Here are my four favourite models of human needs. Spot the similarities between them. Tony Robbins and Maslow's hierarchy are in a specific order, with the core/most important need to satisfy at the top.
Certainty
Variety
Significance
Connection/Love
Growth
Contribution
Mia Kelmer Pringle’s – ‘Needs of children’ – from her book of the same name
Love & Security
Praise & recognition
Responsibility
New experiences
Security — safe territory and an environment which allows us to develop fully
Attention (to give and receive it) — a form of nutrition
Sense of autonomy and control — having volition to make responsible choices
Feeling part of a wider community
Emotional intimacy — to know that at least one other person accepts us totally for who we are, “warts ‘n’ all”
Privacy — opportunity to reflect and consolidate experience
Sense of status within social groupings
Sense of competence and achievement
Meaning and purpose — which come from being stretched in what we do and think
Maslow's hierarchy of needs (excuse the Wikipedia reference)
Physiological: e.g. food, water, warmth, rest
Safety and security
Belongingness and love: intimate relationships, friends
Esteem: prestige & feeling of accomplishment
Self-actualisation: achieving one's full potential, including creative activities