“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.
Thinking Beyond Fulfillment
In mainstream psychology and popular culture, most people associate “self-actualization” with fulfillment and authenticity. And that’s certainly part of what Abraham Maslow meant.
But in order to be fulfilled, authentic, and autonomous, certain things have to happen psychologically that enable someone to reach those feelings and mindsets. And that’s where we have to move from positive psychology to developmental psychology.
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.
Postformal 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 who have achieved postformal development also see themselves differently. They are no longer a product of their culture or environment, and can see themselves from multiple angles and appreciate different parts of themselves that might have otherwise been suppressed or ignored.
This kind of development is what Abraham Maslow was discovering in his work with “self-actualized” individuals… and it represents the pinnacle of human potential that he wrote about in his later works.
Achieving Postformal Development and Self-Actualization
The research on postformal development shows that there are certain cognitive, emotional, and relational milestones that people need to reach in order to achieve the higher stages of growth. People must grow into handling complexity in both their inner and outer worlds, which often takes time and specialized resources.
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.
Guided Journals as Transformational Catalysts
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.
