Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist known as one of the main founders of humanist psychology, this current considers that all human beings are good by nature and that they need a life project adapted to each other’s needs. Abraham Maslow’s phrases are a faithful reflection of this.
Maslow is also known for the needs pyramid. It is a theory that explains what drives human behavior, because, for this author, our actions are the result of the motivation that leads us to meet our needs.
- At first.
- His theories were not very well received.
- But gradually they were attracting the attention of psychologists of his time.
- In fact.
- In 1967.
- The American Humanist Association named him “Humanist of the Year.
- “Whoever met him said he was a great observer as well as a passionate researcher.
Below, we have selected some of Abraham Maslow’s best phrases to reflect on, which also invite us to get to know him better.
“The ability to be in the present moment is a very important component of mental health. “
This first sentence of Abraham Maslow deals with the relationship between the present moment and mental health, one of the concepts addressed by humanist psychology.
According to the study “The concept of mental health in humanist-existent psychology”, mental health is considered a necessity, so Maslow emphasizes this concept and connects it with the ability to be present, it is only when we are connected to the here. and now that we are free from expectations, concerns and faults.
“If your only tool is a hammer, you’ll have to treat every problem like a nail. “
Other needs mentioned by Abraham Maslow include the importance of being adaptable and flexible. Many people feel that it is the circumstances that they have to meet; the thing is, it usually happens in failure.
The fact that some people are better able to solve problems that can cause suffering is precisely because they know how to adapt to circumstances and be flexible, that is, they are able to look further and look for alternatives.
The important thing is that we can all do that. Our mind is flexible unless we hold onto beliefs or think we have absolute truth.
“False optimism, sooner or later, means disappointment, hatred, and despair. “
A few years ago the books with a positivist approach began to play a leading role that constantly invites us to smile and be optimistic, however, most of them lead us to feel a false optimism that will sooner or later fall on their own to give way to despair.
It is not always possible to be optimistic and, if you are able to cultivate this attitude, the foundation must be solid, there is no point in reading positive messages if we do not integrate them, think and plant the seed of what they transmit. Because, as this third of Abraham Maslow’s phrases say, we must cultivate true optimism.
Now, if we’re not optimistic, we can work on it, but never pretend. This will only lead to self-deception and, when we least expect it, it will leave us unprotected from reality.
“I learned that the novice can often see things the expert doesn’t see. Shouldn’t we be afraid to make mistakes or seem naive?
In our society we can say, without fear of error, that fear predominates, the fear of what they will say, to speak in public or to ridicule, among other things, the fears that limit us and that, as Abraham Maslow says, affect our personal development.
Therefore, we should never be afraid to ask questions, even if we think them absurd, if we are teachers, researchers or experts in a field, we cannot let our ego prevent us from learning from those who are still on the way.
The ability to question ourselves and the curiosity to learn more will help us continue to grow.
“Satisfying one need creates another. “
Without a doubt, the last of Abraham Maslow’s phrases refers to his pyramid of needs and the process of evolution and human development, because when we reach one level, we usually look for ways to move on to the next.
Therefore, people always need new goals or goals that allow them to continue to excel, however, there are people who have already met a need, do not look further and settle, this leads to the stagnation that causes frustration, discomfort. not knowing what to do to fix what’s going on and being in an unbearable comfort zone.
As we see, Abraham Maslow’s phrases invite us to reflect on different aspects that have to do with our needs, our actions and, ultimately, our process of self-realization.