Sustainable Happiness Visualized…

Maslow (1908 – 1970) was 62 when he died of a heart attack during jogging in the park. Throughout his life his contribution to the field of human psychology was unparalleled. It is easy to criticize a model originated in 1943 and I would like to emphasize that my alterations, additions and thoughts below on the model are in not anyway meant to undermine Maslow’s work.

 

In all my thinking and visualizing I could not stop myself to “upgrade” (even though I say it myself) the model into perhaps a more 21st century compatible version, a Maslow Pyramid 4.0.

 

A visualization of “Sustainable Happiness” a.k.a. Maslow’s Pyramid 4.0 (2019)

In previous stories the original and adjusted Maslow Pyramid has been discussed. Based on this knowledge I like to elaborate and continue how the Maslow Pyramid has been explained and is utilized incorrectly, or at least not functional anymore in the 21st century. Through simplified drawings I guide you through a different and new way of interpreting the Maslow Pyramid – which in my view is a perfect base to demonstrate and illustrate happiness – to ultimately arrive at a complete picture showing “materialistic happiness”  versus “sustainable happiness”. Let’s start:

 

1. Starting at the Top! First of all, many people (especially living in developed countries) are born in the top of the pyramid, we have food, clean water, sanitary facilities, a safe home, loving parents, feel confident (as a little baby, toddler, child) and have fun without worries. However, in a subtle way and from a very early age we are made belief that in life one we to create, secure and establish all layers and stages of the pyramid. Especially during our teenage years, when the first “life-choices”  (as it appears) on what directions you choose to study, this principle appears to be valid. In other stories like “Work First, Hobbies Second” and “The Mindcage” I elaborate more on the way are reality and perception of life and happiness is shaped by our surrounding. As a starting point, the main message here is that ideally we (and our surrounding) are aware that mostly we have covered the layers in the Maslow Pyramid and can start Self-Actualizing in life from the start as illustrated below:

 

2. Top Extension! Having the top (Self-Actualization) in mind as a starting point Self-Actualization is getting both visually as well as content-wise far to little attention. There is a whole (new) world beyond Self-Actualization or Passion Awareness as I like to say it. Passion Awareness (based on a proper fundamental) is the starting point for talent development, defining purposes, life goals and reaching dreams in life – in short, it is the starting point to reach full-potential!  The image below illustrates how the originally tiny little tip of the pyramid unfolds in an inverse pyramid whereby the new top could be best interpreted as an infinite layer of possibilities, hence “dreams”.  3. Bottom is Fundament: The bottom (of the two pyramids) is considered the ‘fundament’ and is logically the foundation on which ‘transcendence’ towards full potential can take place. The fundament (however) can grow deeper and wider providing a stronger base on which to transcend. It is however not necessarily a chronological step-by-step route whereby the top pyramid can only be reached when having achieved the bottom. By luck and chance one can follow passion, pursuit dreams without (or barely) having security, food, shelter, friends or family and even achieve it – we have seen many of those stories nowadays on facebook.

One has to be aware that this is the exception to the rule and I would suggest not a rule of thumb. In contrast, it is fully understandable why people struggling with the ‘fundament’ of the pyramids don’t feel the luxury and comfort already thinking about the top reversed pyramid. Therefore, as stated in the intro, in the current world it seems ‘sustainable happiness’  is unfortunately still easier for the privileged people not having to worry about the fundament. For those privileged people it is however good to understand that giving attention to the different important factors in life as explained in “Sustainable Happiness” provides a stronger base on which to transcend as opposed to single-dimensionally only focus on the dream while neglecting layers in the bottom pyramid.

 

4. Top is Transcendence is the Start! The top pyramid  has had little attention or was portrait as a final destination hard to reach. Throughout our lifetime we are barely educated, trained, developed and brought up with the idea to “transcend”  ourselves from the very beginning. In fact, for many adults this sounds like a (too) heavy exercise and challenge for children whereas the opposite is through, it is much harder to realize 20, 30, 40 or even more years ahead in life that we started at start and have been running around chasing “happiness” to arrive at start again – why not directly following our passion, purposes, talents and dreams?

In my view this ego-driven / money-driven / fear (as in security) driven rat race is the main cause why later in life people struggle to get out of a limited mindset programmed to make choices in life primarily influenced to have financial security and with that a comfortable life with as little discomfort as possible.

5. Sustinable Happiness! Putting the pieces together, the bottom pyramid and the top pyramid is the first abstract visualization of “sustainable happiness” (or “materialistic happiness”  as we will soon discover).

6. Two-Sides of the Same Coin! However, the two pieces, the two pyramids can be interpreted in two ways! The model can be explained and applied using Ego drivers (money, status, reputation, power, possession, etc.) or could be explained using Passion drivers (social impact, inspiring, giving back, talent development, intrinsic motivation).

 

7. Where do you stand / drive? On which side you stand in the pyramid is best determined by yourself and most people living today and reading this probably find themselves on both sides. Mostly acting on the ‘left-side’ (ego driven) since the collective reality evolves there but with the goal, awareness to be on the ‘right-side’ (social driven) since more and more people can’t deny this is ultimately and in any case best for all starting with yourself! [image airplane, safe self first to consequently safe others].

 

8. Be-Do-Have! And how does one ideally have to go through life following this maslow pyramid. The question what your passion let alone purpose of meaning in life is are super difficult, even if we are confronted with this earlier in life by experts. Below an illustration and description of both sides and a complete visualization of Materialistic vs. Sustainable Happiness. Ultimately, to connect the model with previous chapters, in the below model “materialistic happiness” and “sustainable happiness”  are clearly visible.

Lastly, and perhaps a bit too simplified but it always provided me a good rule-of-thumb of how to make choices and live life: Driven by ego or passion is the difference between:

1. 1. (EGO) Doing things (studying, work, being competitive, etc.), in order to Have (some)thing(s) (a degree, high-position, status, power, money) and then think you are (Be) somebody;

OR

1. 2. (PASSION) You are (Be) somebody and Do things to actualize your talents in order to consequently and inevitably create (Have) good things in your and other’s life.