What is your motivation?

You’ve got to feel good about yourself, and other people, before you can reach your potential. Otherwise, your life is going to be like a psychic game of Snakes and Ladders where all you do is slide further and further downward when you try to move forward.

Or will it?

The scenario that I described above is derived from Abraham Maslow’s theories of needs and motivation. Maslow’s claim to fame is developing a hierarchy of human needs in which different needs become dominant depending on the current quality of your life. The theory argues that basic (survival, security and love) needs take precedence over higher order needs like esteem and/or self-actualization. Maslow’s theory was developed based on a study of well-adjusted and successful people, trying to see what they might have in common.

Self-actualization vs. vice

In a nutshell, if you’re healthy, happy, and secure you start wanting to do other things. You will want to stretch your creative talents, work on developing new skills and generally be a better person.

It reminds me of that Star Trek: The Next Generation episode where three 20th century people are revived on the USS Enterprise. One of them, a former entertainer who had had a terminal case of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll (or country music, at least), wondered what people did for recreation in the 24th century: all of the vices seemed to have disappeared. Captain Picard replied that people were more interested in bettering themselves. Sounds like a page right out of Maslow’s writings.

Meanwhile, here in the 21st century, vice is still big business, although there are droves of people who are trying to live better, healthier lives.

Wait, where’s the real hierarchy?

So the hierarchy of human needs concept begs a few questions:

• Can you be creative if you don’t have a home?
• Can you feel love, empathy, and esteem for other people when you are homeless, hungry and cold?
• Is having love, security and shelter (or sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll) enough to lead a happy and satisfied life?

It is interesting to note that Maslow’s theories have been disputed for many years. Other researchers are trying to validate Maslow’s theories.

Actually, they are working on their own hierarchies of human needs because they aren’t satisfied with Maslow’s conclusions. For example, a recent model proposed by Kenrick suggests that our highest motivation is the continuation of the species through the act of parenting.  Self-actualization isn’t even in this hierarchy, except as a footnote!

Other people feel that Maslow’s hierarchy was too biased towards one set of people:  successful and engaged people.  Plus, as Thoughtwrestling contributor Suzemuse pointed out in the comments on a post about creativity, sometimes creativity is what you use to satisfy your basic needs.

What’s your motivation?

So my question for you is one of motivation. Why do you make, create or write things? Is it for:

• Survival
• Security
• Love
• Esteem
• Self-Actualization?

Or is there some other motivation that isn’t included in Maslow’s hierarchy that compels you to do creative work?

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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