Personal self-realization

Self-realization is a process consisting of awareness of one’s own inclinations, potential, talent and their future embodiment in some chosen type of activity. Self-realization is also called absolute implementation, the embodiment in reality by the subject of his individual potential. The need for self-realization was initially inherent in each individual by nature. According to the teachings of Maslow and his concept of the “hierarchy of needs,” self-realization is the highest need of the individual. It is simply vitally necessary for an individual to predetermine and realize his personal place in society and life, to effectively use his own inclinations inherent in nature, to express his own personality to the maximum in the real world in order to then experience complete satisfaction from reality.

The possibility of self-realization is inherent in the individual from birth. It plays an almost fundamental role in the life of every individual. After all, self-realization is a mechanism for identifying and revealing the implicit inclinations and talents of an individual, which contribute to a further successful and happy life.

The problem of personal self-realization appears in early childhood and accompanies the individual throughout his entire life path. To overcome such problems, you need to work hard in this direction, since they will not be solved on their own.

There are many methods that promote self-realization, but a few of them are most widely used.

The biggest enemy of self-realization are stereotypes imposed by society. Therefore, the first step on the path to personal self-realization will be getting rid of the standards and templates imposed by society.

The personality represents both the object and the subject of social interrelation. Therefore, in the course of personal socialization, the active position of the individual himself, his propensity for certain activities, and the general strategy of behavior are of great importance. A purposeful, active person striving for the most effective self-realization, most often, achieves greater success in life than an individual who follows the lead of current circumstances.

Personal self-realization lies in the individual’s desire for the most effective use of the objective conditions of socialization and his subjective abilities and potential in order to achieve his strategic goals. The goal in the process of self-realization is the ideal, mental prediction of the outcome of an activity, as well as the methods and mechanisms for achieving it. A strategic goal is understood as the orientation of an individual to a long-term perspective.

As a rule, the opportunity for self-realization appears in an individual in several different types of activity, and not in one. So, for example, in addition to professional fulfillment, most individuals strive to create strong family relationships, have true friends, entertaining hobbies, hobbies, etc. All types of activities, together with goals, create the so-called system of orienting the individual for the long term. Based on this perspective, a person plans an appropriate life strategy, i.e. general aspiration of life's path. Such strategies should be divided into several main types.

The first type is a strategy for life well-being, which consists in the desire to create favorable conditions for life.

The second type is a strategy for success in life, which consists of striving for career growth, conquering the next “peak”, etc.

The third type is a life realization strategy, which embraces the desire to fully develop one’s own abilities in selected activities.

The choice of life strategy may depend on several factors:

objective social conditions that society can offer an individual for his self-realization;

a person’s belonging to a certain social unity, ethnic group, social stratum;

socio-psychological characteristics of the individual himself.

For example, in a traditional or crisis society, in which the problem of survival is pressing, most of its members are forced to choose a strategy for life well-being. And in a society with established market relations, the strategy of life success will be more popular.

The desire for self-realization, characteristic of every individual, is essentially a reflection of a more basic need - the desire for self-affirmation, which is expressed, in turn, in the movement of the real “I” to the ideal “I”.

Personal self-realization depends on a number of factors. Factors of self-realization can be individual or universal, influencing the development in the mind of an individual of his own life path scenario.

What ways can you realize yourself?

There are 4 main ways to show your potential:

Creation
Personal development
Professional growth
Social interaction

Each of them must be present in a person’s life. How a person tries to express himself in them is influenced by his childhood and adult behavior patterns.

Creative self-realization

They perceive the benefits of civilization and the creations of culture, which people use every day in everyday life, as something completely natural, as a result of the development of industrial and social relationships. However, behind such a faceless vision there is hidden a huge number of scientists and greatest masters who cognize the universe in the process of their personal activities. After all, it is the creative activity of predecessors and contemporaries that is the basis for the progress of material production and spiritual creations.

Creativity is an invariable attribute of an individual’s activity. It implies a historically established evolutionary form of activity of subjects, which is expressed in various activities and leads to the formation of personality. The basic criterion of a spiritually developed personality is considered to be its mastery of the complete process of creativity.

Creative activity is a derivative of the subject’s realization of unique capabilities in a specific area. That is why there is a direct connection between the creative process and the implementation of the subject’s abilities in a socially significant type of activity that has signs of self-realization.

It has long been an established fact that the most complete development of an individual’s inclinations and talents is possible only through the performance of socially significant activities. At the same time, it is quite important that the implementation of such activities is determined not only by external factors (of society), but also by the internal needs of the individual. Under such conditions, the activity of the individual is transformed into amateur performance, and the realization of abilities in the chosen activity acquires the features of self-realization. From this it follows that creative activity is an amateur activity, covering the transformation of reality and personal self-realization in the process of creating material wealth and spiritual values. Creative self-realization of the individual allows one to expand the boundaries of human potential.

In addition, it should be noted that it is not so important in what exactly the creative aspect is expressed, in the ability to skillfully operate a loom or in virtuoso playing the piano, in the ability to competently and quickly solve various inventive problems or organizational issues. After all, no type of activity is far from a creative approach.

It is not at all necessary that every member of society knows how to write poetry or paint pictures. The combination of all the natural forces of an individual, the expression of all his personality traits in action, contribute to the formation of individuality, accentuating his extraordinary qualities and unique features.

Fully mastered creativity by an individual means that he or she is following the path of developing the spiritual component of personal growth.

Creative self-realization of the individual is the area of application of the individual creative potential of the subject and the development of his reflexive attitude towards his own personality. Any type of creativity is a unique process of developing a personal worldview. Through creative activity, individuals independently acquire new knowledge and techniques. As a result of the acquired experience through such activity, the individual develops an emotional and value-based attitude towards his own personality and the reality that surrounds him. An individual achieves a certain degree of creative self-realization by using creative potential and expressing his creative essence.

How can you realize yourself?

Personal self-realization in psychology is a multifaceted concept. There are many options for how a person can realize their potential. This applies to all areas of her life. Each of them is an important component of the harmonious development of a person. If he was unable to realize himself in something, then this will affect him in the future.

To realize your potential, you need to develop and constantly grow. To do this, you need to understand in what ways you can realize yourself and why it is important to do this

Professional self-realization

Today, the particular relevance of the problem of individual self-realization is due to the understanding that personal self-realization is a specific defining criterion in the formation of personality. Usually, there are two most significant areas of self-realization, which include professional activity and fulfillment in family life. For today's society, the issue of implementation in the professional sphere is becoming key. The requirements of modern times for a progressive and successful person are quite high. Huge competition in the labor market, difficult socio-economic circumstances of life determine the conditions for self-development and self-realization.

Self-development and self-realization are conditioned by self-determination and self-actualization of the individual. Self-determination provides one’s own definition, self-evaluation, and the ability to compare assigned tasks, chosen means of achievement and the situation of action.

Self-actualization is to some extent a trigger for building self-realization. This is the essential difference between self-actualization and self-realization. Consequently, professional self-realization can be understood as a constant, multi-temporal process of forming an individual’s potential in creative activity throughout his entire life journey.

Since the most complete disclosure of an individual’s inclinations occurs only in socially useful activities, therefore it is in professional activities that particularly broad prospects for self-realization open up. Professional activity occupies an almost central place in the lives of individuals. In the course of their lives, people devote almost all of their time, all their potential and strength to professional activities. Within the chosen profession, abilities are formed, career advancement and personal growth occur, the material foundations of life are provided, and a certain social status is achieved. Following a chosen profession and using professional skills is one of the most significant criteria for achieving a certain level of success in life.

In the course of professional self-realization, the subject develops professional thinking, which is characterized by the following characteristics:

awareness of one’s own belonging to the chosen professional community;

awareness of the degree of one’s own adequacy to professional standards, one’s place in the hierarchy of professional roles;

the individual’s awareness of the degree of recognition in the professional sphere;

awareness of one’s own strengths and weaknesses, opportunities for self-improvement, potential areas of success and failure;

understanding about your work in later life and about yourself.

Based on the degree of development of the listed characteristics, one should judge the level of an individual’s fulfillment in the profession.

However, not every professional activity will be an area of self-realization. For example, self-realization of a teacher is the process of a teacher achieving practical results of his teaching activities through the implementation of certain professional goals and strategies. An individual’s specific professional motivation does not always indicate active self-realization. Also, activities carried out mainly only as a result of volitional tension are quite energy-consuming and exhausting, which usually leads to emotional “burnout.” Therefore, a professional business for an individual seeking to realize himself should be entertaining and attractive. Along with this, it is very important that the basis of attractiveness is an understanding of the social value and individual significance of work. The predominance of the importance of work in the hierarchy of personal values is considered a guarantee of successful self-realization. Active self-improvement in the professional sphere prevents the occurrence of burnout syndrome.

Self-development and self-realization of the subject in professional activity is significant for personal adaptability and success in life.

It is possible to identify factors of self-realization, including personal qualities, which will be general prognostic parameters for professional self-realization. Among the most significant personal factors contributing to professional fulfillment, the self-efficacy of the individual, the flexibility of his behavior and dissatisfaction with personal activities come to the fore. Self-efficacy is directly expressed in the ability to organize one’s professional activities and achieve success when interacting with society. Flexibility of behavior is responsible for effective interpersonal communications and professional interaction and stimulates the development of the need for further growth in the profession.

Social self-realization

Social personal self-realization consists in achieving social success in life in the amount that a particular individual wants, and not in accordance with the real criteria of social success.

Social self-realization has a relationship with the implementation of a humanitarian function, a social and economic role, a socio-political and socio-pedagogical purpose, or any other socially significant activity. And personal self-realization leads to the spiritual growth of the individual and ensures in the first stages the development of personal potentials, such as responsibility, curiosity, sociability, hard work, perseverance, initiative, intellectuality, morality, etc.

Self-realization in life is directly related to an individual’s ability to empathize, show compassion, feelings of compassion, and with determination as confidence in one’s own abilities to achieve results. An individual’s social self-realization will be higher in the case when the individual has more clearly expressed qualities such as responsibility as the individual’s ability to take responsibility for his actions, confidence in his own potential and strength, and willingness to accept religious moral guidelines as the basis for his actions .

The desire for self-realization is determined by the position “I am for others,” which is experienced by the subject as the actual or predicted attitude of others to the way in which he brings to life, with their participation or in their presence, his individuality, which he realizes as an expression of selfhood.

Social self-realization does not yet mean social success, expressed in career growth, high salaries, and exposure in the media. If a person is striving for social success, then he will be able to do more in life, in particular for people. If a person strives for social self-realization, he is much more satisfied and happy in life. However, one should not oppose social success and self-realization - it is quite feasible to combine success in life and feel like a happy person.

Confining frames

How to start realizing yourself? The first steps on the path of self-realization are always the most difficult. How does a person realize himself in society? Some become good specialists in their field, others invest all their strength in their family and raise children.

Whatever field you choose, the most important thing is to move forward step by step.

Work on your skills and you will certainly achieve success. To achieve the desired result, you need:

Believe in yourself and your strengths.
Work and develop regularly.
Don't put things off until later.

Do you want to learn to dance? Sign up for a dance class. Do you want to be a good specialist? Get the appropriate education and make yourself known. Do you want to learn how to draw? Find a teacher or sign up for a drawing course.

Only by acting will you achieve results.

Conditions for personal self-realization

The main general cultural conditions contributing to personal self-realization are two directions: upbringing and education. In addition to this, each social community works out its own specific educational processes inherent in it, which put into the consciousness of the individual exactly those unifying feelings, patterns of behavior and standards of worldview, norms of identity and solidarity that are most relevant at a given historical stage of cultural development. In the conditions of mass information culture, traditions accepted in society are of great importance. Actually, they convey value and moral guidelines. All this demonstrates that the course of the educational process is also influenced by certain cultural tools such as comprehension of traditions, the child’s copying of adults, etc.

The need for self-realization has its own characteristics and conditions for satisfaction. The specificity lies in the fact that when it is satisfied in single types of activity, for example, in writing a novel or creating a work of art, an individual will never be able to satisfy it fully. When satisfying his basic need for personal self-realization in a variety of activities, the subject pursues his own life goals and attitudes, finds his own place in the system of social relationships and relationships. Therefore, it would be stupid to build a single template for self-realization in general. Since self-realization “in general” cannot exist. Certain forms, methods, types, types of self-realization are different for different individuals. In the diversity of the need for self-realization, a rich human individuality is revealed and develops. That is why, when they talk about a comprehensively developed and harmonious personality, they focus not only on the completeness and richness of its abilities and inclinations, but also on the diversity and richness of needs, the satisfaction of which brings about a person’s exhaustive self-realization.

Definition of the concept

What is human self-realization? This concept in psychology can be defined in two planes: as an action and as a consciously set goal. Theoretically, this is an endless process, because there is no limit to perfection. Personal self-realization is a road that has no limits, so even successful people can grow further.

A. Maslow identified the following characteristics of a self-actualized person:

The ability to distinguish fantasy from reality.
Sober self-esteem through healthy reflection.
Ease of self-presentation. A self-realized person sees no point in playing to the public. She values herself for who she is, but constantly improves herself.
Responsibility. A self-actualized person is not inclined to blame others for his troubles, but controls himself. Why? Because she focuses on doing everything she can to improve her life and the well-being of those around her.
Self-sufficiency.
The ability to easily endure the blows of fate.
The ability to adjust your life guidelines from time to time.
The ability to learn something new and overcome learning difficulties.
They have their own views and are able to defend them without harm to others.
Self-actualized people are in harmony with themselves and their emotions. They have a well-developed orientation in the sensory world of themselves and other people.
They know how to control their feelings, communicate with people and make them laugh.
Creative.
They are tolerant of others, but in important situations they can insist on their own.
They do not betray their relatives, their own values and ideals.

Important! Self-actualization means achieving certain heights personally or socially.

Self-realization goals

The need for self-realization lies not only in the desire to improve self-knowledge, but also manifests itself as a result of working with the inherent potential and constant growth. People who have realized their own internal resources are usually called successful in life. The psychological problem of personal self-realization contains a discrepancy between the energetic and mental capabilities of the individual and the level of his actualization. In other words, due to various life situations, the real potential of the subject may not coincide with the final result of his activities, which often leads to a feeling of dissatisfaction with his life. However, despite this, the need for personal self-realization is preserved in each subject.

Although personal self-realization is observed in the process of an individual’s life, it becomes possible only on the condition that the individual himself is aware of his own inclinations, abilities, talents, interests and, of course, needs, on the basis of which the individual will build goals. In other words, the subject’s entire life is built on a series of actions aimed at personal self-realization and achieving set life goals. To be successful in life, certain efforts must be made, consisting of certain strategies and goals. The main condition for personal self-realization is the implementation of such strategies and achievement of goals.

As an individual grows, his needs also change, therefore, goals and strategies also change. For example, in childhood, the main goal of an individual is study, and in adolescence, goals related to determining the choice of profession and resolving issues of intimate life begin to prevail. After achieving the first strategy or stage of self-realization, when the individual has already started a family and has decided on a profession, the mechanism for correcting and transforming strategies and goals comes into play. So, for example, if the need for career growth is satisfied and the individual receives the position he sought, then this goal goes away and the process of adaptation to the position, colleagues, etc. begins. Something similar happens in family relationships. The choice of self-realization strategies and setting current goals takes into account the age category of the subject, his character and immediate needs.

Self-realization in life has its own specific methods and tools for implementation. Every day an individual reveals himself in work, hobbies and interests, etc. However, today the main and important tool through which the full potential of an individual is revealed is creativity. Many psychologists believe that only with creative activity does an individual engage in excess activity without pursuing a specific goal. In other words, creative activity acts as a voluntary activity, for which an individual is ready to expend all his potential, all his strength in order to express himself and his own potential. And the following universal human values, mechanisms and needs motivate an individual to painstakingly and long-term work on himself:

need for recognition in a team;

in the development of intelligence;

desire to start a family;

the desire to achieve success in sports or become physically developed;

the need for an elite profession, career growth and work with high earnings;

the desire to constantly improve oneself;

desire for social status.

Self-realization process

The most important condition for personal self-realization is self-development. Since for successful personal self-realization an individual must have moral and spiritual values, which are the substantive foundation of such a spiritual and practical process. For example, a teacher’s self-realization presupposes sustainable moral self-improvement and a desire for constant creative self-development. Self-development consists in the transformation of the individual himself in the direction of his own “I”-ideal, which appears under the influence of external factors and internal reasons.

Personal self-development is associated with the life activity of the individual, within the framework of which it is realized. That is why, from the age of a preschooler, from the moment the child has identified a personal “I,” he becomes the subject of his life, as he begins to build goals, obey his own desires and obey aspirations, but at the same time, taking into account the demands of others. Such impulses must necessarily acquire a social orientation, otherwise they will have a destructive effect on the formation of personality.

In the processes of self-improvement, levels of personal self-realization are distinguished:

aggressive non-acceptance of the activity being carried out, i.e. the individual does not want to engage in this type of activity, but has to;

desire for peaceful avoidance of work, i.e. the individual chooses another profession;

the performance of work activity occurs according to a pattern or in accordance with a certain model, this level is called passive;

the individual’s desire to improve his own individual elements of the work being carried out;

the individual’s aspiration to improve his actual work or activity in general; this level is called creative or inventive.

There is also another differentiation of levels. It presents the following levels of self-realization: low or primitive-performing, medium-low or individual-performing, medium-high or level of embodiment of roles and implementation of norms in society with elements of personal growth, high level or level of value realization and embodiment of the meaning of life. Each level has its own determinants and barriers. This is expressed in the presence of a diverse psychological nature at each level. For example, gender differences at different levels have different degrees of expression (to the maximum extent at low levels, to the minimum at high levels of personal self-realization in the main areas of life).

The process of personal self-realization does not act as the achievement of a developed “ideal” through the “disclosure” of one’s full potential - it is an active and limitless process of formation and self-improvement of personality throughout the individual’s life path.

Problems of self-realization

Unfortunately, today we must state the fact that the problem of personal self-realization remains insufficiently studied and developed, since there is no holistic theory of self-realization as a social process. However, it is possible to identify typical problems of self-realization that an individual faces along the path of life.

In adolescence, every teenager dreams of growing up and becoming a big businessman or a famous actor. However, life, society and even parents always make their own adjustments. After all, modern society does not need thousands of actors and big businessmen. For its progress and prosperity, society needs individuals who have masterfully mastered working professions, accountants, drivers, salesmen, etc. Due to the discrepancy between what is desired and the unpleasant reality, the first problem of self-realization is born. Yesterday's teenager, living in dreams, has to make a difficult choice between a business that interests him and a profitable profession. The second difficulty is the inability to correctly determine and choose the most suitable field of activity after graduation. Often many people do not understand that the areas of self-realization can be different. If an adult individual has become a professional surgeon, and not a famous actor, as he dreamed of as a child, this will not mean that he was unable to self-realize in the profession. The areas of self-realization are quite extensive; an individual can realize himself not only in the profession, but also in the role of a parent, spouse, in creativity, etc.

In order to solve the problem of self-realization, you should not try to plan your whole life in adolescence. Also, when the first difficulties appear, you don’t need to give up, change or sell your dream for good money.

After determining the professional activity, the subject faces the next problem of self-realization, which consists in his perception of the possibilities of his work and professional activities as a condition for further full-fledged personal growth.