Do You Know How These Six Things Are Driving Your Behavior?
Tony Robbins, a world renowned motivational speaker, international best-selling author, philanthropist, and life/business strategist, is also known for developing and outlining the Six Human Needs that state every person has six basic needs which are at the core of all human activity. Tony first revealed these in a TED Talk back in 2006, and it has since become one of the ten most-watched TED Talks of all time. I chose to train under Tony Robbins coaching methodology at the Robbins-Madanes Training Center for many reasons, including this TED Talk.
Everyone experiences the same six human needs, yet we all find different ways to satisfy these needs. We meet these needs in positive and constructive ways or negative and destructive ways.
We must learn to understand that these needs are not goals or desires but the basic human needs behind every choice, belief, and action we make. These are such an innate part of who we are that we must make time to study and understand them better. Once we know what and why we can begin to choose better on how we meet these needs, we have a greater opportunity to understand why life is how it is and, more importantly, how to facilitate change life.
The Big Six
CERTAINTY
Other words associated with certainty are safety, security, comfort, stability, feeling grounded, predictability, protection.
This area is an important need and fills the need for assurance that we can avoid pain and gain pleasure.
UNCERTAINTY/VARIETY
Other words associated with uncertainty are instability, change, chaos, entertainment, adventure, suspense, exertion, surprise, conflict, and crisis.
This area fills the need for the unknown, change, and new stimuli.
CONNECTION/LOVE
Other words associated with connection/love are togetherness, passion, unity, warmth, tenderness, and desire.
When we seek this need we are often in need of a strong feeling of closeness or union with someone or something.
SIGNFICANCE
Other words associated with significance are pride, importance, standards, validation, achievement, performance, perfection, evaluation, discipline, competition, and rejection.
When we look to meet this need we want to feel important, unique, and special. Often related to feeling validated in some way, shape, or form.
GROWTH
Other words associated with growth are: expand, capacity, capability, understanding, learning, experience.
This area fulfills the need to push beyond our current boundaries, to challenge ourselves, moving to our full potential.
CONTRIBUTION
Other words associated with contribution are: giving back, legacy, volunteering, care for, protect, and serve.
When this needs area is being fulfilled we are experiencing our desire to contribute something of value, whether manifested through our community, family, society, or project work we might be involved in. It is our way of making our mark for the betterment of others.
Every one of us has these basic human needs and at some level, we are attempting to meet them in various ways.
The first four listed, Certainty, Uncertainty, Connection, and Significance, are all needs according to our personality and are essential to human survival. The last two, Growth and Contribution, are needs of the Spirit and are essential to fulfillment.
When we talk about how we are meeting them we may use the term ‘vehicle’ referring to the way in which we may be meeting any and all of our specific needs at any given time. Once we understand that our behaviors are motivated by these areas of need we can begin to unhook judgment and start seeing behaviors as constructive or destructive ways to meet those needs.
For example, an unresourceful way of meeting the need for significance might be putting others down, gossiping, sharing sad stories about ourselves, being a martyr or victim, and rebelling. In comparison, to meet this need more resourcefully, we might do volunteer work, achieve a goal, master self-leadership, gain knowledge and expertise within our industry or passion.
The 6 Human Needs is one of the threads my clients use to weave together a life of purpose and fulfillment. Together, we gain clarity around why their life is the way it is. Knowledge can be a powerful tool in creating change, yet, if all you have is the knowledge but not the know-how to affect the change then it can be equally as frustrating as not knowing why. I teach you how to use this tool as a framework to better understand the needs that motivate you in every area of your life, study the vehicle(s) you are using to meet each need, how it is serving you, and if there are better options that can help you reach your goal(s) and live your dream life.
While the 6 Human Needs is but one tool, it can help you learn self-mastery as well as develop resourcefulness with others so you can be a more insightful leader, teacher, parent, sibling, child, partner, and all around human being.
If you’re interested in learning more about these 6 Human Needs click HERE to take the free quiz and start learning about your personal Six Human Needs profile for free along with tips on how you can use this information to get what you really want, understand others better, and help bring you greater fulfillment.
