How to Assess Your Personal Needs
Discover what makes something a need and how to know if yours are met.
What Are Needs?
A need can be defined as a “physiological or psychological requirement for the well-being of an organism” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). In other words, a need is something that you won’t be okay without. This can range from food and water to human contact and socialization.
Our needs can also differ depending on the situation. In general, we have needs such as food because without it we can die. However, communication can also be a need since, without it, relationships can deteriorate.
Basic needs, or primary needs, are the most essential. These include:
● Food
● Water
● Shelter
● Clothing
● Sunlight
● Sleep
Some needs aren’t physical (Lester et al., 1983). Instead, some are emotionally based such as:
● Friendship
● Spirituality
● Recognition
● Relationships
● Self-confidence
● Respect
Psychological needs are generally required for good mental health.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow first introduced his concept of a hierarchy of needs (Maslow, 2012). Through this, he suggested that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to more advanced ones.
He was a humanist and believed that people have an ultimate desire to reach self-actualization, or in other words, to be all they can be. However, to achieve this, the lower-level needs are required to be fulfilled first.
There are five levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that increase in complexity:
Physiological needs. These include needs such as food, water, and clothing. These are also referred to as basic or primary needs.
Safety needs. We need to feel safe and secure in our environment. This can include financial well-being and health security.
Social needs. This includes the need to be loved and to love. Belonging to a group of both friends and family is important to our psyche. Social needs are psychological needs.
Esteem needs. This is the need to be recognized by others for our accomplishments. Esteem needs are also considered to be psychological needs.
Self-actualization needs. This is the need to actualize our talents and skills. This includes obtaining the full use and exploitation of our talents, capabilities, and potentialities. People who achieve self-actualization are said to be fulfilling themselves and doing the best that they’re capable of.
According to this model, we can only obtain higher-level needs once we satisfy the lower level needs. For example, we can only begin to meet our needs for safety once we’ve secured our physiological needs.
Personal Needs Assessment
One method that can help us to address and identify our needs is to conduct a personal needs assessment. A personal needs assessment involves a thorough evaluation of your current skills, resources, interests, and areas for improvement. By identifying these key elements, you can gain a clearer understanding of where you stand and what you need to focus on.
This process can help prioritize your needs by highlighting the areas that require the most attention or that align the most closely with your long-term objectives. It can also uncover hidden strengths and opportunities that you might not have considered, opening new paths to pursue.
Additionally, a personal needs assessment can provide a structured approach to goal-setting, enabling you to set realistic, achievable milestones. This clarity can boost your motivation and confidence, as you can see a clear path from where you are now to where you want to be. Overall, it serves as a valuable tool in aligning your efforts with your aspirations, making your journey toward achieving your goals more focused and efficient.
How to Do a Personal Needs Assessment
1. Self-Reflection
Begin by setting aside some quiet time to reflect on your life. Consider areas such as health, relationships, career, personal growth, and emotional well-being. Ask yourself what aspects of your life feel fulfilling and which ones might need more attention.
2. Identify Core Values
Determine your core values, as they often guide your needs. Values are principles or standards that are important to you, such as honesty, freedom, or compassion. Write down a list of your top five values.
3. List Your Needs
Based on your reflection and values, make a list of needs that you feel are essential for your happiness and fulfillment. These could include needs for security, love, achievement, or creativity.
4. Prioritize Your Needs
Once you've listed your needs, prioritize them. Consider which needs, if unmet, cause you the most discomfort or dissatisfaction. This prioritization helps in focusing on the areas that require immediate attention.
5. Set Goals
With your prioritized list of needs, set specific, actionable goals to address them. For example, if connection is a priority, you might set a goal to spend more quality time with loved ones or join a community group.
6. Create an Action Plan
Develop a plan to meet these goals. Break down each goal into smaller, manageable steps, and set a timeline for achieving them. This plan should be realistic and adaptable to your lifestyle.
7. Seek Feedback
Share your assessment with a trusted friend, mentor, or coach who can provide feedback and support. They may offer insights that you hadn't considered.
8. Reflect and Adjust
Periodically review your needs assessment. As you grow and change, your needs may also evolve. Be open to adjusting your goals and action plans accordingly.
By following these steps, you'll gain a clearer understanding of your personal needs and how to address them, paving the way for a more balanced and fulfilling life.
In Sum
Remember that having needs is not selfish. Needs are a natural and essential part of life. Everyone has needs, although our needs may differ from one another. Make sure to communicate your needs clearly, plan for your needs, and tend to them so that you not only meet your needs but also reach your goals.
References
● Lester, D., Hvezda, J., Sullivan, S., & Plourde, R. (1983). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Psychological Health. The Journal of general psychology, 109(1), 83–85.
● Maslow, A. H. (2012). A theory of human motivation. 1943. Psychological Review, 50(4).
● Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Need. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved August 9, 2022.