As human beings, we all have basic needs that must be met for us to live fulfilling lives. Tony Robbins, the well-known motivational speaker and coach, developed the Six Human Needs framework to help people understand and fulfill these needs. The Six Human Needs were a big part of the Tony Robbins live experience for me. They stuck with me for some reason and have guided my decision-making on certain things ever since.
The Six Human Needs are:
Certainty: The need for safety, stability, and predictability in life.
Variety: The need for change, novelty, and stimulation in life.
Significance: The need to feel important, unique, and valued.
Connection: The need for love, belonging, and intimacy.
Growth: The need for personal development, learning, and progress.
Contribution: The need to give back, contribute to others, and make a difference in the world.
Each of us has a unique combination of these needs, and the fulfillment of these needs is essential for human happiness and fulfillment. Let's take a closer look at each of these needs and how to measure and fulfill them.
Certainty
Certainty is the need for safety, stability, and predictability in life. It's the need to know that we can pay our bills, have a roof over our heads, and feel secure in our environment. While certainty can be comforting, too much of it can lead to boredom and stagnation.
To measure your level of certainty, ask yourself:
Do I have enough money to pay my bills and feel financially secure?
Do I have a stable job or income source?
Do I feel safe in my home and environment?
If you feel like you're lacking in certainty, try creating a budget, saving money, or developing a backup plan in case of an emergency. You can also try stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things to add variety to your life.
Variety
Variety is the need for change, novelty, and stimulation in life. It's the need to experience new things, learn new skills, and explore the world around us. Too much certainty can lead to boredom and stagnation, so variety is important for keeping us engaged and motivated.
To measure your level of variety, ask yourself:
Do I regularly try new things and take on new challenges?
Do I have a variety of hobbies and interests?
Do I feel like I'm stuck in a rut?
If you feel like you're lacking in variety, try learning a new skill, taking up a new hobby, or traveling to a new place. You can also try changing up your routine or trying something outside of your comfort zone.
Significance
Significance is the need to feel important, unique, and valued. It's the need to feel like we matter and that our contributions are recognized and appreciated. Significance can come from many different sources, such as our work, relationships, or hobbies.
To measure your level of significance, ask yourself:
Do I feel like my contributions are valued and appreciated?
Do I have a sense of purpose or meaning in my life?
Do I feel like I'm making a difference in the world?
If you feel like you're lacking in significance, try identifying your values and what's important to you. You can also try setting goals that align with your values and pursuing activities that make you feel fulfilled.
Connection
Connection is the need for love, belonging, and intimacy. It's the need to feel like we're part of a community and that we have meaningful relationships with others. Connection can come from many different sources, such as family, friends, romantic partners, or colleagues.
To measure your level of connection,ask yourself:
Do I have close relationships with people who support and care about me?
Do I feel like I belong to a community or group of people who share my interests?
Do I have healthy and fulfilling relationships?
If you feel like you're lacking in connection, try reaching out to friends or family members, joining a club or group, or volunteering for a cause that you're passionate about.
Growth
Growth is the need for personal development, learning, and progress. It's the need to constantly improve and become the best version of ourselves. Growth can come from many different sources, such as learning new skills, setting goals, or pursuing challenges.
To measure your level of growth, ask yourself:
Am I learning new things and expanding my knowledge?
Do I feel like I'm progressing towards my goals?
Am I challenging myself and stepping out of my comfort zone?
If you feel like you're lacking in growth, try taking a course or class to learn something new, setting specific and measurable goals, or pursuing a challenge that scares you.
Contribution
Contribution is the need to give back, contribute to others, and make a difference in the world. It's the need to feel like we're making a positive impact and helping others. Contribution can come from many different sources, such as volunteering, mentoring, or donating to charity.
To measure your level of contribution, ask yourself:
Am I giving back to my community or making a positive impact?
Do I feel like I'm making a difference in the world?
Am I using my talents and skills to help others?
If you feel like you're lacking in contribution, try finding a cause or organization that aligns with your values and interests, volunteering your time or skills, or making a donation to a charity.
In conclusion, understanding and fulfilling the Six Human Needs can help us lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. By measuring our levels of certainty, variety, significance, connection, growth, and contribution, we can identify areas where we need to focus our attention and take action to improve our overall well-being.
