What Maslow's Hierarchy is Missing
Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is one of the most recognized theories of motivation. His pyramid stacks our needs and motivations from bottom to top in order of complexity—physiological, safety, belonging, esteem, and then, ultimately, self-actualization.
Most of these needs stem from a deficiency—we meet these needs to avoid unpleasant feelings or consequences. One, self-actualization, sparks from the desire to grow as a human.
Maslow believed that despite our different situations, skills, priorities, and goals, every one of us has an innate desire to self-actualize—to be all we can be. (And you thought it was just a kickass Army slogan).
According to Maslow, self-actualization is when you are fulfilled by the full use and exploitation of your talent, capabilities, and potential.
It's a fascinating concept, with one drawback.
Maslow told us what we need and why it's motivating.
He did not, however, tell us how to get it.
That's where even the best of us struggle. And that's why you are here—and why I'm here to help.
If you're reading this newsletter, you're who I like to call a "one-percenter"—one of a tiny fraction of high-achieving, high-performing business owners attempting to blaze their own trail up Maslow's mountain. You know what you want, and you're getting after it: success in business, life, and self—in that order.
And that, badass, is why you'll never make it past the treeline.
Because success—astonishing, legendary, exhilarating, breathtaking success—isn't as "easy" as building a business that makes money. What you want—deeply, I imagine—is a profitable business that runs by itself, a rewarding marriage, fulfilling relationships, respect from your peers, a healthy body and mind, financial freedom, and room and time to create, learn, and grow.
All at the same damn time.
This is Maslow's self-actualization. At The Lions Pride, we call it the path to the 0.01%. It's a journey toward winning at work, winning at home, AND winning in the mirror.
Not sequentially. Simultaneously. A win at work is one-dimensional. Quite simply (and quite literally), it falls flat.
Success on the job means nothing if your partner sleeps alone while you work at your desk or your kids forget which seat is yours at the table.
Making more money won't matter if you're carrying the weight of the world on top of 30 extra pounds you put on due to stress.
Adding more hours to your day by stealing from your sleep is pointless if your life expectancy shrinks every time do.
Whether you're reading this email as an existing Cohort member, an Alumni, or someone who has a gnawing desire to get, have, and be more, you know that the road ahead is grueling, gritty, and downright hard.
What you may not know is that you're probably (definitely) making it harder than it has to be.
I know this because I was you once.
I thought I had all the answers (I definitely didn't—and have the scars to back it up).
I figured it was better if I just did most of the work myself (I definitely shouldn't have—and my team validates this daily.)
I believed work was the only way to provide for my family (it definitely wasn't—just ask my ex-wife.)
If you want to move to the sharpest tip of the spear, the peak of the pyramid, the top of your game—and I know you do—you have to think, behave, and choose beyond and bigger than you do now.
This means hiring (and sometimes firing) better. This means asking for help from people who are smarter than you. This means saying no to distractions. It means saying HELL YES to what (really) matters. It means a hard look in the mirror and a grateful gaze across the table. It also means taking care of yourself—because it takes more than coffee to fuel all you want to do.
When you do, every step toward business, life, and self-mastery increases your efficiency, productivity, effectiveness, awareness, and impact. Like a lumberjack with a sharpened blade, you'll do a helluva lot more with less pressure, energy, and time.
Hard work. Easier results.
One day you'll wake up and find:
Your gym bag next to the door, ready for a daily workout you actually look forward to.
Time to drink coffee with your spouse—and talk date night plans (like these!).
An inbox that can easily be delegated to a high-performing team.
Clothes, schedules, projects, and plans that fit your ideal self.
More money in the bank than you could have ever imagined
You'll also find that Maslow was right—you were meant to do, have, and be all of these things, just as you were meant to find the support, resources, guidance, swift kicks, and steady grit along the way.
That is, after all, why I'm writing—and why I write every newsletter. To remind you that you have everything you need to get everything you've ever wanted in your lifetime.
The trick is to get to it all before the clock runs out.
Bill covers topics like this (and then some) on LinkedIn all the time—connect and join the conversation!