The Science of Human Potential
“It looks as if there were a single ultimate goal for the human species, a far goal toward which all persons strive. This is called self-actualization, self-realization, integration, psychological health, individuation, autonomy, creativity, productivity, but researchers agree that this amounts to realizing the potentialities of the person - that is to say, becoming fully human, everything that person can be.”
― Abraham Maslow
Abraham Maslow’s work on self-actualization was one of the first systematic attempts in psychology to describe human potential beyond basic needs. Maslow proposed that after physiological and social needs are met, people are motivated toward personal growth, culminating in "self-actualization".
Most psychologists reduce Maslow's work to his "Hierarchy of Needs" or a set of happy states. But Maslow himself saw self-actualization not as an automatic outcome of meeting needs, but as a developmental process: a pattern of growth where capacities such as autonomy, perception, creativity, and responsibility mature.
Since Maslow's early work on self-actualization, developmental psychologists discovered that human consciousness does not merely change in content over time; it evolves in structure. The later stages of psychological growth, called postformal development, closely mirror what Maslow discovered in his work with high-performing individuals.
Pre-Formal Development
Pre-formal development is characterized by intuitive, concrete, and emotionally driven thinking, with limited capacity for abstraction or systematic reasoning. Individuals at this stage tend to interpret reality through personal experience, authority figures, and immediate social norms. Beliefs are often held rigidly and are strongly shaped by family, culture, and group identity.
Formal Development
Formal development involves the emergence of abstract and logical reasoning. Individuals can think hypothetically, analyze arguments, and apply logic to their thinking. Many professionals consider this to be the peak of human development, and it is the focus of mainstream education.
Postformal Development
Post-formal development is marked by integrative and reflective thinking that can hold multiple perspectives simultaneously. People at this stage of development are able to reflect more deeply about themselves, foster stronger relationships, and lead change in complex environments. Their perspective of the world is more nuanced, and their sense of self extends beyond their cultural conditioning.
“People’s stage of development influences what they notice and can become aware of, and therefore, what they can describe, articulate, cultivate, influence, and change... A person’s understanding of power, feedback, time, love, integrity and truth, for instance, changes with increasing development.” - Susanne R. Cook-Greuter
Unlocking The True Limits of Human Potential
Research has shown that people at postformal stages of development possess advanced mental, emotional, and relational capacities. They perceive the world in more nuanced ways, and have a deeper understanding of themselves. They are more effective leaders, better parents, better partners, and better friends.
While many therapists and coaches help their clients grow in this way, they typically have not structured their services to help clients achieve postformal development. This kind of growth is usually an accidental outcome - if it even happens at all.
After ten years of research on this topic, and several years in the coaching and self-help industries, I realized that most materials offer people tactics, not transformation. It is possible, for example, for someone to read Dale Carnegie and improve their social skills, but those skills won't be of use when they are confronted with a complex leadership issue that requires a more advanced perspective.
This means that in order for people to grow into their fullest potential, they need to move beyond skills and transform at a deeper level.
How Postformal Development is Achieved
Researchers have identified three necessary elements that catalyze postformal growth. First, there needs to be a disorienting dilemma, where someone's current perspective is proving to be insufficient to solve a problem in their life. Then, there needs to be access to new perspectives, where that person gains information that allows them to see their problem differently. Finally, there needs to be a process of elevated sensemaking, where a guide, mentor, coach, or therapist supports the development of a more complex perspective.
Many therapists and coaches support postformal development indirectly, usually by facilitating a process of elevated sensemaking. However, most professionals seem to be unaware of the developmental milestones that are required for postformal development, and do not structure their practice around supporting this kind of growth.
The research on postformal development shows that there are specific cognitive, emotional, and relational milestones that must be reached in this growth process. After mapping out these milestones, I realized that there was a cost-effective way to help people meet them - through guided journaling.
The Power of Guided Journaling
Researchers have shown that guided journaling can have transformative impact on people - even life-changing impacts. And, guided journals are accessible, which means they can transform more people at a much lower cost than therapy or coaching.
Drawing on my coaching experience and my research in psychology, I developed a series of guided journals to catalyze postformal development. These journals are designed to take people on specific mental journeys, which mimic therapy and coaching at a fraction of the cost.
Rather than offering advice or affirmation, my guided journals provide structured opportunities for reflection, integration, and perspective-taking. They are designed to be catalysts for transformation, not just feel-good writing exercises.
Journal Name |
Growth Outcomes |
| Thinking With Integrity | Critical Thinking, Virtue, Empathy, Emotional Awareness, Growth Mindset |
| Wise Mind | Understanding Wisdom, Methods of Acquiring Wisdom, Virtue, Paradoxes, Folk Wisdom |
| Active Intellect | Growth Mindset, Reflective Practice, Action Inquiry |
| Go To Yourself | Self-Discovery, Purpose, Goal-Setting |
| Peacemaker | Conflict Resolution Skills, Empathy |
| All The Feels | Emotional Awareness, Emotional Regulation |