•Friday, May 25, 2007
Abraham Maslow in his classic theory of human motivation, observed that as human beings meet their basic needs, they seek to satisfy successive 'higher needs' that occupy a set hierarchy. What that means, in simple terms, is that people are never satisfied. We are always seeking a higher 'high'. Quite hopeless if you ask me.
It is for the same reason that management gurus tell us that money is a poor motivator. In extrapolation, there is nothing that beats the disillusionment of success. After a trivia challenge at Longonot, you get psyched to conquer Mt Kenya. As soon as you are at the Batian peak you desire the Mt. Kilimanjaro challenge. This continues until you get to the peak of Mt. Everest. This may go on until you realise that you want more than the world can give.
In the Maslow's need hierarchy theory, I am always surprised that sex is a basic need. I thought it can always wait until later as per all the campaigns that have been drummed into my rebellious head. 'True love waits', 'Nimechill', 'SeINO (Say No) Sex is not Oxygen' , 'No Ringing No Dinging' and such. In the wikipedia article, excretion is also listed as a basic physiological need. Nairobi city council should know that and give the men who like watering their flower beds a break?
At the peak of the pyramid is the self-actualization level. This is where one's full potential is exercised after all other needs are satisfied. Very few get to this level and none get past this unless they burst out of their mortal shells. I see it as a godly state, the satisfaction of being beyond most human problems. At this stage people get consumed by a desire to live a legacy, to be respected, revered and to some extent worshipped by other human beings. It is a culmination of all that is vain and a push to transcend negative karma. There is a shared notion that service to humanity, Mother Teresa style, is the best and most content way to be self-actualized.
These are the thoughts that ran through my mind as I read Esther Passaris' two-page newspaper advert of her new found vocation. Despite her controversial fight to maintain a monopoly in street lighting, her intentions in poverty eradication are good and her cause need to be supported. Hopefully this is not a public sympathy whipping gimmick.
Nobel laureate professor Wangari Maathai literally ran up the Maslow pyramid. She is well maintaining her success in everything environmental currently through her one billion trees campaign mainly sponsored by UNEP. The campaign has received overwhelming support from all over the world barely six months after its launch. The target is to plant at least one billion trees worldwide in 2007. She is a good example of how to have a purpose and passion in life.
In the same note, Kenyan papers have been running full page ads by a foundation called Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation a youth-funding foundation aimed at building a new generation of qualified world class leaders in the region in all sectors: government, private and civil society.
But as my professor used to say, there is no free lunch. All these people seek a return, a reward for their efforts. Not necessarily monetary. It could be fame, self-redemption or a lasting legacy. At its highest is a better after-life for those who believe in one.
It is for the same reason that management gurus tell us that money is a poor motivator. In extrapolation, there is nothing that beats the disillusionment of success. After a trivia challenge at Longonot, you get psyched to conquer Mt Kenya. As soon as you are at the Batian peak you desire the Mt. Kilimanjaro challenge. This continues until you get to the peak of Mt. Everest. This may go on until you realise that you want more than the world can give.
In the Maslow's need hierarchy theory, I am always surprised that sex is a basic need. I thought it can always wait until later as per all the campaigns that have been drummed into my rebellious head. 'True love waits', 'Nimechill', 'SeINO (Say No) Sex is not Oxygen' , 'No Ringing No Dinging' and such. In the wikipedia article, excretion is also listed as a basic physiological need. Nairobi city council should know that and give the men who like watering their flower beds a break?
At the peak of the pyramid is the self-actualization level. This is where one's full potential is exercised after all other needs are satisfied. Very few get to this level and none get past this unless they burst out of their mortal shells. I see it as a godly state, the satisfaction of being beyond most human problems. At this stage people get consumed by a desire to live a legacy, to be respected, revered and to some extent worshipped by other human beings. It is a culmination of all that is vain and a push to transcend negative karma. There is a shared notion that service to humanity, Mother Teresa style, is the best and most content way to be self-actualized.
These are the thoughts that ran through my mind as I read Esther Passaris' two-page newspaper advert of her new found vocation. Despite her controversial fight to maintain a monopoly in street lighting, her intentions in poverty eradication are good and her cause need to be supported. Hopefully this is not a public sympathy whipping gimmick.
Nobel laureate professor Wangari Maathai literally ran up the Maslow pyramid. She is well maintaining her success in everything environmental currently through her one billion trees campaign mainly sponsored by UNEP. The campaign has received overwhelming support from all over the world barely six months after its launch. The target is to plant at least one billion trees worldwide in 2007. She is a good example of how to have a purpose and passion in life.
In the same note, Kenyan papers have been running full page ads by a foundation called Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation a youth-funding foundation aimed at building a new generation of qualified world class leaders in the region in all sectors: government, private and civil society.
But as my professor used to say, there is no free lunch. All these people seek a return, a reward for their efforts. Not necessarily monetary. It could be fame, self-redemption or a lasting legacy. At its highest is a better after-life for those who believe in one.
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