We all want to make things happen for ourselves, whether it’s a goal to get healthier, get our dream job or improve our relationships. However, it can feel difficult to hold ourselves accountable for all the goals and intentions we set. Self-actualization can help you discover the motivation to achieve your goals in reality. During Recovery, self-actualization can mean the difference between becoming sober and struggling with your addiction, and it can help you change your life for the better.
The Definition of Self-Actualization
Kurt Goldstein first coined the term “self-actualization,” but Abraham Maslow made it famous as a part of his hierarchy of needs. Maslow saw self-actualization as the top of his hierarchy — an important step in understanding what kind of person you can and must be.
Today, self-actualization is known as a process of maximizing your abilities and resources to realize your full creative, intellectual or social potential. Through leveraging your abilities, you can reach your full potential. However, it’s a highly personal process that can vary from person to person, as everyone has different motivations.
It’s easy to see self-actualization examples in action by looking at the lives of famous individuals. Some good individuals to study include:
- Abraham Lincoln
- Albert Einstein
- Aldous Huxley
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- Thomas Jefferson
Self-Actualization Quotes to Help You With Your Journey
Your self-actualization journey won’t always be easy. Printing out quotes and hanging them up on your wall, refrigerator and other frequently seen surfaces can remind you of what’s important in your life. Try finding a quote that speaks to you from the list below:
- “Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.” —Rumi
- “No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.” —Madonna
- “Do your own thing on your own terms and get what you came here for.” —Oliver James
- “If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased.” —Katharine Hepburn
- “The joy in life is his who has the heart to demand it.” —Theodore Roosevelt
About Self-Actualization in Recovery
Self-actualization can help aid in the Recovery process and help you implement all the changes you learn and envision for yourself. Then you have to hold yourself accountable to make those changes a reality. Self-actualization can mean the difference between living the life you want and staying trapped by your addiction. You can use the self-actualization process to summon your inner motivation and make your sober lifestyle real. Supporting yourself this way can also help you empower and strengthen others.
Contact 7 Summit Pathways
You don’t have to feel hopeless about the Recovery process. 7 Summit Pathways has the experience that can help you channel self-actualization and apply other techniques to treat your addiction. We know what it takes to live the life you love, and we’re dedicated to giving you a process that works. Contact us today to learn more.