Awakening to Your Fullest Potential
I was in a meeting with the Moments of Space MD (hey Cy 👋), and while we were diving deep into workload, strategy and next steps, he said something so simple yet so insightful:
“Your job is to show up as your best self”
It struck me; I’d been so consumed by the endless checklist of targets and to-dos, so preoccupied with achieving project goals that I had lost sight of my own personal growth journey and wellbeing.
And while passion and purpose are core principles to living a fulfilling life, there were other aspects of my existence I’d neglected since becoming part of the MoS family. I was reminded of Eckhart Tolle’s words that true fulfilment doesn’t come from external accomplishments, but from being fully present and connected to the present moment. And so, I turned to my favourite framework for reconnection: the practice of self-actualisation.But what does it mean to self-actualise, and how can we move towards this state?
What Exactly is Self-Actualisation?
Self-actualisation is a term coined by Abraham Maslow, a psychologist who developed the Hierarchy of Needs theory. Maslow argued that once our basic physiological and safety needs are met, we are driven by a desire to self-actualise.
According to Maslow, self-actualisation includes developing our strengths and talents, pursuing our passions and interests, and cultivating a sense of purpose and meaning in life to become the best version of ourselves. Maslow also recognized that self-actualisation is not a static state, but rather an ongoing process of personal growth and development."
Self-actualisation is not a sudden happening or even a permanent state of being. It is a process of becoming."
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Abraham Maslow
Walking the Path to Self-Actualisation
A key characteristic of self-actualised individuals is a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Having a strong sense of purpose is linked to better physical and mental health, as well as increased resilience, vitality and longevity.
The Japanese concept of Ikigai is excellent to explore to understand and pinpoint your passions and purpose in life. In Japanese, iki means “to live” and gai means “reason”, in other words, Ikagai is your reason to live.
Ikigai is the intersection between what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It’s the flame that burns within us, igniting a sense of purpose and direction in our lives.
When we find our ikigai, we experience a sense of fulfilment that transcends material success, and we become deeply connected to something greater than ourselves. Ikigai is the key to unlocking our true potential and living a life of meaning and purpose. It is a journey of self-discovery, an invitation to explore the depths of our being and awaken to the myriad of unique gifts and talents that lie within us.
Meditation as a Tool for Self-Actualisation
Meditation is central to the journey of self-actualisation, as it allows you to observe and experiment with the inner workings of your mind as well as the mind-body connection.Just as scientists use advanced tools to study the physical world, meditators use the tool of awareness to observe their own mental processes. By investigating the nature of your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations you can expand your consciousness and gain a deeper understanding of your true nature and the world around you.
Research has shown that a consistent meditation practice can lead to changes in the structure and function of the brain, including increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with functions such as self-awareness, self-regulation, and decision-making.
Meditation can help us to cultivate the qualities of self-actualisation, such as greater emotional regulation and intelligence, and the ability to make choices that align with our values and goals. Meditation also acts as a tool to observe negative self-talk and cultivate a more compassionate inner dialogue. So, by using the tool of meditation, we can reprogram our belief system, increase our awareness and move towards unlocking our full potential.
Cultivating Meaningful ConnectionsAnother important factor in self-actualisation is the cultivation of positive relationships and connections. Studies have shown that social support is associated with improved physical and mental health, as well as increased happiness and life satisfaction. Building positive relationships and nourishing connections with others, particularly by contributing and connecting with like-minded communities, can help us to move towards self-actualisation with ease.Community not only acts as a support group, helping to inspire and lift you up on the journey, but also as a mirror, reflecting back to you areas you can improve to step into a better, more-rounded version of yourself.
You Do You
Finally, self-actualisation requires you to embrace your uniqueness and celebrate your strengths, rather than comparing yourself to others. As Oscar Wilde once said:
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken"
What are the Benefits of Becoming Self-Actualised?
Recent studies in the field of positive psychology have shed light on the science of self-actualisation. One study found that people who are self-actualised tend to have a higher degree of self-awareness, enabling them to have a deeper understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and values. They are also more likely to have a growth mindset, meaning they believe that they can develop their abilities through hard work, dedication, and taking every opportunity, no matter how challenging, as an opportunity for growth.
Another study found that self-actualised individuals tend to have a more integrated brain, meaning that different areas of their brain are better connected and communicate more efficiently. Self-actualisation promotes the cultivation of neural integration and coherence.
Self-actualised individuals also tend to have more activity in the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain associated with higher-order thinking, decision-making, and creativity, suggesting that self-actualisation may involve the cultivation of these cognitive abilities.
Self-actualisation is an ongoing process of personal growth and development, it’s most definitely an ever-evolving journey, not a destination. By developing our strengths, pursuing our passion, finding a sense of purpose and meaning in life, building positive relationships, developing deeper present moment awareness, and cultivating neural integration and coherence we move closer to activating our fullest potential.
By understanding the science of self-actualisation, we can better understand our unique human capabilities, walk on the path towards it, and ultimately make it our job to truly show up as our best self, whatever comes our way.
