Our lives are not our own, from womb to tomb, we are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future. Sonmi-451, Cloud Atlas
Realizing my passion, purpose and potential and then expressing it in my outer world has dominated the last 15 years of my life and career. Although I would say I underwent a radical transformation (and continue to do so), not everything changed as I had initially speculated. Genuine transformation is more a refinement and deeper understanding of what lies hidden within each of us. Abraham Maslow, in his 1968 treatise, Towards a Psychology of Being, described it as an evolutionary ladder beginning with survival and safety needs and eventually culminating in self-actualization, that is, personal growth, meaningfulness, purposefulness and fulfillment. Thus, self-actualized people live creatively in the full expression of their potentials and share a similar set of characteristics.
Check out the following Self-actualizer Assessment to see where you rate yourself relative to your purpose, potential and self-actualization.
As you ponder your self-assessment, would you say you feel authentic, safe, not anxious, accepted, loved, loving, alive and living a fulfilling life?
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Plato
And be kind to yourself, which is also a characteristic of a self-actualizer. What one action would help you move towards being who you truly are?
If you would like to read more on discovering your passion, purpose and potential, read one of my print or e-books.
Reference:
Coon, Mitterer. 2007. “An Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior”, p. 479.
