Needs underlying personal self-development

Saying that you don’t engage in self-development is like admitting that you don’t brush your teeth. It doesn’t seem like a crime, but you can no longer be considered a decent person. If you are not busy 24/7 and allow yourself to lie in front of the TV instead of jogging or meditating, then you automatically become passive and unsuccessful. It’s not at all like the “right people” who draw a “balance wheel” and pump themselves up like a character from a computer game. Let's figure out who demands self-development from us and why this is not always good.

Introduction

The problem of personal self-development is one of the “eternal” topics that never lose their relevance. “Self-development processes make it possible to individualize the path of life, to make a free choice of ways of existing in this world, focusing on vital values. It is the process of self-development that provides a person with the need and opportunity to become a person, a bearer of culture, norms, and value relationships” [1]. In turn, the study of the needs underlying personal self-development allows us to answer the question: why does a person become a person? why can a person become mature?

In modern society, the problem of personal self-development and its factors is of particular relevance. Modern social conditions are characterized by global social transformations, accelerating the pace of economic and sociocultural development, which is reflected in constant changes in all spheres of people’s lives. Therefore, life activity in modern society places increased and qualitatively new demands on the process of social adaptation and personal development. “This leads to the fact that a person’s creative potential, his readiness to respond productively to demands and changes in the environment become one of the key factors in the development of both the person himself and society. The problem of studying the features of designing a system of interaction between an individual and society, and himself, becomes relevant; Research into issues of determination of behavior and manifestations of activity in modern conditions takes on a different character and vector of research - the search and analysis of not only stable patterns of functioning, but, to a greater extent, development and self-development" [7].

In turn, studying the factors of personal self-development allows us to determine the optimal ways to develop a mature personality in the difficult conditions of life in modern society.

Favourite buisness

The most reasonable and correct motivation for self-development is doing what you love. Doing something that truly brings joy and pleasure brings huge rewards. In this case, there will be no obstacles for you. By doing something you really enjoy, you will put aside all fears and constantly move forward.

For example, you like to play sports. Not for the sake of money, awards and recognition, but for the sake of the process itself. With this approach, you will definitely reach the top.

A person who is passionate about his activity not only achieves success, but also feels happy.

Any passion or hobby can be turned into an exciting process that will bring success and recognition.

The concept of personal self-development

Even ancient philosophers (Heraclitus, Socrates) were interested in the problem of personal self-development [9]. However, to this day this problem has not been fully studied. In modern psychology and pedagogy, there is no unity of views among researchers on the concept of personal self-development: “Some understand self-development as self-education, self-organization of the individual... Others understand self-development as self-regulation...; as a process of life self-determination..., or as activity in the process of self-affirmation” [9].

In philosophy, self-development is considered as a process of self-creation, “self-construction” of the individual, based on a person’s knowledge of himself [3].

In psychology and pedagogy, many researchers give the following definition of self-development: “self-development is a process of independent, holistic, purposeful, value-oriented activity of an individual for continuous self-change as an enrichment of individual experience and spiritual and moral forces in accordance with the internal image of the “I” and current social expectations” [2; 3; 7; 13].

However, other researchers consider this process of conscious and purposeful activity for internal enrichment and personal growth as self-education [10; 12]: “at a certain stage of development of the individual, his intellectual abilities and social self-awareness, a person begins to understand not only the goals external to him, but also the goals of his own upbringing. He begins to treat himself as a subject of education. With the emergence of this new, very unique factor in the formation of personality, a person himself becomes an educator” [12]. Apparently, self-education as a purposeful activity should be considered as one of the forms of self-development, and self-development as such is a broader concept.

In defining the concept of “self-development”, one should probably proceed from the definition of the concept of “development”. In modern psychology and pedagogy, development is defined as “an objective process of quantitative and qualitative changes in mental processes, properties, states over time, expressed in natural transformations” [4].

Human development is influenced by two types of factors: external and internal [8]. “On the one hand, human development is influenced by the surrounding world - education, upbringing, and on the other, internal goal setting is the source of self-propulsion. That is, a person, guided by his values ​​and goals, masters the ability to determine the path of his own development, to carry out it as a free, personally significant activity" [13], "while simultaneously improving and developing his abilities to implement it, changing and educating (shaping) himself" [10 ]. Thus, self-development is the development of a person’s personality under the influence of internal factors.

Some authors equate development and self-development of the individual, because any external factors can have only an indirect, indirect impact on the development of the individual, and development is always carried out under the influence of only internal factors. “L.N. Tolstoy compared human development to how a fruit tree grows. Indeed, in the literal sense, it is not a person who grows it - it grows itself. He only loosens the soil, applies fertilizers, trims branches, in other words, creates the necessary external conditions that contribute to and stimulate his self-development. Development itself occurs according to its own internal laws” [8].

V.G. Maralov defines the self-development of the individual as a complex specific process unfolding in time and space of the individual’s life activity, which can take the following main forms , each of which reflects a certain aspect of the self-construction of the individual [4]:

1. Self-affirmation - makes it possible to express oneself fully as an individual, or to confirm or strengthen one’s own personality, character traits, ways of behavior and activity.
2. Self-improvement – ​​expresses the desire to get closer to some ideal; This is conscious management of the process of one’s own development in a certain direction.
3. Self-actualization – allows you to identify a certain potential in yourself and use it in life; this is the realization of oneself in the world by learning the meaning of life, achieving the fullness of self-existence.

According to T.V. Luchkina, self-development is a combination of the following processes [3]:

1. Self-knowledge;
2. Conscious self-regulation;
3. Self-improvement as the enrichment of one’s essential powers in order to subsequently have the opportunity to self-realize at a higher level;
4. Increasing one’s own productivity as “a state of internal activity in life’s difficulties, associated with the cultivation of one’s capabilities” (E. Fromm);
5. Spiritual self-strengthening as the ability to “gain the balance of spirit necessary for life through doing good deeds” (L.N. Kulikova);
6. Self-determination as a conscious act of identifying and asserting one’s own position in problem situations (V.A. Petrovsky);
7. Self-actualization;
8. Self-realization.

The most effective result of the previous stages and the subject of subsequent stages of self-development is a mature personality with such characteristics as activity, individuality, creativity, responsibility and independence [3].

The most important characteristic of a mature personality is that such a personality becomes the subject of his own life activity, i.e. the life path of a mature personality is the result of her own purposeful activity, and not external circumstances [3; 4; 7, etc.]. In other words, a mature person does not “go with the flow”, but is the builder of his own destiny.

External motives

There are so-called external motives. When a person is motivated to action not by the activity itself, but by the result. These include the following motives:

• The desire to gain recognition and approval from people;
• The desire to obtain high social status and prestige;
• The motive is to avoid problems or punishment. In this case, the person performs certain actions in order not to be punished or to avoid trouble;

Such motives are temporary; they help to accomplish only certain short-term tasks. But they are useful as experience.

Factors of personal self-development

Before moving on to studying the factors of self-development, let's consider the factors of personality development .

The most significant group of personality development factors are considered to be social factors, i.e. those factors that are associated with the influence on the individual from society and, in particular, the people around him. Society “emerged and improved thanks to human activity. In order to live, people had to earn their own means of subsistence. They not only used ready-made natural products, but also engaged in agriculture, crafts, and learned about the world around them. In the process of creative and transformative activity, they formed the experience of social relations, accumulated knowledge, enriched spiritual life, and developed moral and aesthetic culture. All this wealth of material and spiritual culture, created by the labor and creative efforts of many generations of people, acts as a means of development and formation of the individual as a member of society. Only by mastering, to one degree or another, the property and achievements of society, does a person become a social being” [8].

The number of social factors, along with natural influences, includes the direct upbringing of a person as a specially organized process aimed at the socialization and development of his personality.

The next group is biological factors of personality development. “Man is directly a natural being. As a natural being, he is endowed with natural forces, inclinations and abilities, which cannot but influence the social development of a person, his formation as an individual” [8]. Even the very ability of a person for personal development is initially biologically determined, inherent in nature.

In the process of personality development, biological and social factors are closely intertwined, interact and act in unity.

Subsequently, starting from adolescence, another group of factors associated with the self-development of the individual comes into force, when the source of development becomes the individual’s own activity. “This need is the result of a special socio-cultural interaction of an individual both with the outside world and with himself. This interaction contributes to the most complete disclosure of those inclinations and abilities of the individual that provide self-realization and self-affirmation adequate to social needs” [7]. In other words, the sources of personal self-development are social and biological factors of personality development and their interaction.

According to the results of the study by Yu.V. Mokerova [7], the most significant factors of personal self-development are:

1. Features of society and the value of personal self-development;
2. The value orientation of the individual himself;
3. Biographical context, individual living conditions of an individual in their temporal extent - past-present-future.

Summarizing the above, we can assume that the factors of personal self-development are essentially divided into two groups: internal factors associated with the psychological characteristics of the individual himself, and external factors associated with environmental influences that promote or hinder the self-development of the individual. At the same time, internal factors are more significant: “upbringing plays ... a role in the development of the individual only if it has a positive impact on the internal stimulation of her activity in working on herself. It is this activity and the growing person’s own desire for personal improvement that ultimately determines his development” [8].

Internal factors of self-development include the ability to reflect (self-analysis, self-knowledge) [4; eleven; 13], self-respect, positive self-esteem, self-acceptance [4; 13], the ability for supra-situational activity [3], developed volitional qualities [4], internality of the individual [4], the ability for creative perception, understanding and transformation of reality and oneself in it [13], experience of active creative and transformative activity [8 ], resolution of problem-conflict situations [11], absence of excessive psychological defense [14] and patterns of unproductive behavior [14].

External factors of self-development include living conditions in which lower-level needs are satisfied (for nutrition, safety, etc.) [2], the presence of the possibility of free choice [13], the absence of frequent insoluble problem-conflict situations leading to the development protective mechanisms [11], external stimulation of activity and approval (from parents, teachers, etc.), leading to the formation of positive self-esteem [2; 11], the absence of social influence and group pressure that rejects the existential values ​​and personal goals of the subject [14].

It is obvious that external factors of self-development are important only in relation to the internal characteristics of the subject. Thus, internal factors play a leading role in the process of personal self-development.

Motive for identification with another person

Some people have their own idols, heroes, or simply individuals who are especially authoritative for them (mother, teacher). The desire to be like one of these individuals is a strong motive for self-development. It is especially common in teenagers. They copy certain qualities of their hero, behavior pattern, conversation or style. The desire to be like your idol inspires a person to change. This gives strength, the desire to work on oneself and take action. It also helps you become bolder.

Needs underlying personal self-development

The most significant internal factors of self-development are needs. It is in the needs and motives of a person that, as a rule, lies the source of his purposeful activity, behavior and activity, regardless of what goal this activity is aimed at achieving.

One of the most widespread and developed concepts of the need for self-development is the concept of self-actualization . Self-actualization is “the continuous realization of potentialities, abilities and talents, as the accomplishment of one’s mission, or calling, destiny, as a more complete knowledge and acceptance of one’s own original nature, as a tireless pursuit of unity, integration, or internal synergy of the individual” [2] , i.e. the highest form of self-development.

The author of this concept, Abraham Maslow, began his study of the phenomenon of self-actualization by studying the lives, values ​​and relationships of people who interested him, who seemed to him the most mentally healthy and creative, those who had achieved a more optimal, effective and healthy level of functioning than most other people [14].

As a result, he came to the conclusion that people have a need for self-actualization (meta-need), but it manifests itself only if lower-level needs are satisfied (deficit needs - physiological, needs for safety, respect, etc.): “Even in In the event that all of the above needs of a person are satisfied, we have the right to expect that he will soon again feel dissatisfaction, dissatisfaction because he is not doing what he is predisposed to. It is clear that a musician should make music, an artist should paint pictures, and a poet should write poetry, if, of course, they want to live in peace with themselves. A person must be who he can be. Man feels that he must conform to his own nature. This need can be called the need for self-actualization. ... Speaking about self-actualization, I mean a person’s desire for self-embodiment, for the actualization of the potentials inherent in him” [6].

Due to the fact that the abilities and inclinations of all people are different, the need for self-actualization manifests itself differently: “One person wants to become an ideal parent, another strives to achieve athletic heights, a third tries to create or invent. It seems that at this level of motivation it is almost impossible to delineate the limits of individual differences" [6]. However, the common feature of all self-actualizing individuals is that they are all involved in some activity. “They are dedicated to this work, it is something very valuable to them - it is a kind of calling, in the old, preaching sense of the word. They are doing something that is a calling of fate for them and that they love so much that for them the division between “labor and joy” disappears. One devotes his life to the law, another to justice, someone else to beauty or truth. All of them, in one way or another, devote their lives to the search for what I called “being”... values, i.e. the search for ultimate values ​​that are genuine and cannot be reduced to something higher. There are about fourteen such B-values: truth, beauty, the goodness of the ancients, perfection, simplicity, comprehensiveness and several others” [5].

It should be noted that, according to Maslow, the need for self-actualization arises in any person, i.e. provided that the needs of a lower level are satisfied, each person can be self-actualizing: “I imagine a self-actualizing person not as an ordinary person to whom something has been added, but as an ordinary person from whom nothing has been taken away. The average person is... a human being with suppressed and suppressed abilities and gifts” [14].

Currently, most authors agree that the source of a person’s self-development is his need for self-actualization. However, there are other points of view on the needs underlying self-development.

Distinguishing between the various forms of self-development noted in paragraph 1 (self-affirmation, self-improvement and self-actualization), V.G. Maralov believes that each form of self-development has its own needs and motives [4].

According to his opinion, the basis of self-affirmation as a form of self-development “is the need for self-affirmation, which is synthesized from the primary needs of competitive existence among other representatives of the living world. In a person, it takes the form of... motives: to be, how to be better than others” [4]. The basis of self-improvement, in turn, is the desire for an ideal, and “the goals of self-improvement are not only and not so much the goals of self-affirmation - to be no worse than others, to be better than others, but the goals - to be better than you were; achieve more significant results than you achieved” [4].

Thus, if self-affirmation involves personal growth in relation to other people, then self-improvement means personal growth in relation to oneself.

According to Yu.V. Mokerova, there is a direct human need for self-development . “The object of the need for self-development is the desired state of the subject, his prospects for the future. ... the need for self-development can be defined as such an individual’s attitude towards himself, in which a readiness is formed to transform his own life activity in whole or in part through and in the conditions of searching for the maximum possible future state. The need for self-development arises at the moment when an individual realizes not only his own stage of development, but also determines the zone of potential expansion of needs, benefits and opportunities. Considering that the inclinations and predisposition of an individual influence the choice of activity, we can assume that the need for self-development will be predominantly formed in those areas of activity that the individual identifies or is able to support as leading” [7].

According to this point of view, the basis of the need for self-development is the subject’s desire for freedom, his need to act independently, control and manage the events of his own life, his resources and, accordingly, those social situations in which his life activities take place.

Based on this position, Yu.V. Mokerova developed three conditional models of the formation and deployment of the need for self-development [7]:

1. The spontaneous model of self-development (self-development according to the type of conformity with nature) is self-development based on the search and realization of one’s own talents, one’s purpose.
2. Self-development as a challenge (self-development by the type of self-affirmation) - self-development based on the need for public recognition and the desire for success, implemented in the direction of socially significant goals.
3. Self-development according to the type of self-construction is self-development based on the reflection, ability and readiness of the individual for the active creative process of his own individual life strategy and aimed at highlighting and managing his own life path and activities.

Thus, the basis of self-development for each of the types considered are different needs: in the first case, the need for self-realization, in the second case, the need for public recognition, in the third case, the desire for self-organization and organization of one’s own life path.

An even wider range of needs underlying self-development is considered by G.K. Selevko [10]:

• Cognitive need;
• The need for self-affirmation;
• The need for self-expression, aesthetic needs;
• Need for security;
• The need to belong to a group, to communicate;
• The need for self-determination;
• The need for self-realization;
• The need for self-actualization.

According to G.K. Selevko, all the listed needs are aimed at creation, self-improvement, and self-development.

Self-affirmation motive

If you feel that prestige and a certain status in society are very important to you, then this is an excellent motivation for self-development for you.

If you have such character traits as pride and self-esteem, then you need recognition in society. The desire and desire for self-affirmation, high status, for a positive assessment of one’s personality from others, respect is a significant motivational factor. He encourages you to work hard and actively develop.

Bibliography

1. Berezhnova O.V. Reflective activity as a pedagogical condition for self-development of university students. Author's abstract. diss. ...cand. ped. Sci. – Rostov, 2005.
2. Kulichkova S.A. Self-development of high school students in a boarding lyceum: theory and practice // Bulletin of SevKavSTU, Series “Humanities”, No. 2 (12), 2004.
3. Luchkina T.V. The role of innovative activity in the personal and professional self-development of a young teacher. Author's abstract. diss. ...cand. ped. Sci. – Irkutsk, 2000.
4. Maralov V.G. Fundamentals of self-knowledge and self-development: Proc. aid for students avg. ped. schools, institutions. – 2nd ed., erased. – M.: Publishing House, 2004. – 256 p.
5. Maslow A. Self-actualization. – School-workshop for personal development. – www.isra-trainings.com.
6. Maslow A. Theory of human motivation. – www.flogiston.ru.
7. Mokerova Yu.V. Contradictions in the formation of the need for personal self-development in modern conditions: sociological analysis. Author's abstract. diss. ...cand. sociol. Sci. – Ekaterinburg, 2006.
8. General pedagogy. Lecture course. – Department of Psychology and Pedagogy, Kabardino-Balkarian State University. Kh.M.Berbekova. – kpip.kbsu.ru.
9. Opletin A.A. Pedagogical technology of social and moral self-development of college students’ personality (based on physical education). Author's abstract. diss. ...cand. ped. Sci. – Perm, 2005.
10. Selevko G.K. Self-education concept. – www.abc-people.com.
11. Semenov I.N., Stepanov S.Yu. Reflection in the organization of creative thinking and personal self-development // Journal “Questions of Psychology”. – www.voppy.ru.
12. Slastenin V., Isaev I. et al. Pedagogy: Textbook. – www.gumer.info.
13. Slesarenko N.V. Activation of cadet’s personal self-development in the educational process of a military institute. Author's abstract. diss. ...cand. ped. Sci. – Khabarovsk, 2004.
14. Freydiman J., Frager R. Abraham Maslow and the psychology of self-actualization. – Library of the Russian Humanitarian Internet University. – www.iu.ru.

How to activate the motivation process?

• Determine what level you are currently at. What needs are your top priority right now? What should you strive for at this stage?
• Be honest with yourself, what do you really want to achieve now in different areas of your life? Write down what you want to achieve in the areas of work, love, relationships, role in society. How do you want to see yourself in a year, two, ten years?
• Honestly evaluate your knowledge, skills, and capabilities. Think about what you need to achieve certain goals. Take small but confident steps.
• Realize how important your goal is to you. How will it change your life for the better?
• Visualize your goal. If you can’t do this mentally, draw a picture or make a collage of photographs.
• Praise yourself for every achievement, even the smallest one. Learn to be proud of yourself.
• Find out more, read. Go to courses, seminars. Improve your skills or learn new activities necessary to achieve your goal.
• Believe in yourself. If you make a mistake or something doesn't work out, don't stop. Any experience is a positive experience. Try again and again. Read the stories of successful people, what they had to go through to achieve such results.

Self-motivation is the privilege of strong people. Many people stop moving forward and lose the motive for self-development when they achieve success in some area. But time passes, and they realize that this is not enough for them. Self-development is an endless process, there is no limit to perfection, and even more so there is no limit to personal development.

Don't stop constantly moving forward, don't waste precious time. Life is so interesting and multifaceted that it can be explored endlessly. The main motive for self-development is the desire to live a full, interesting life.

Topic: Personal growth, Motivation

Desire to be successful

One of the human needs is the desire to be considered authoritative, successful and respected. This need is as important as the need for acceptance and love. Often we are unable to imagine ourselves as a successful person: the salary is low, there are not enough bonuses and regalia, we don’t like the position. This situation is upsetting. We must remember that the path to a high salary and a prestigious position is winding and long. If we fail to become successful in our professional activities, we try to compensate for this success elsewhere. For example, reading literature about self-development.

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Personal growth: from words to deeds!

In this article, I told you about personal growth and explained why it is so important to pay attention to self-development at any age.

Now the most important thing is that it’s time to move from words to deeds. Take the step-by-step instructions, draw up an individual plan for personal growth and... act!

If you liked the above tips and found them useful, please write about it in the comments.

What do you do for personal growth? Share! I am sure your experience will be useful to others.

Motto

“Develop or die” is what many motivators say. The roots of the trend lie in the American mindset. Every resident of the States can achieve success if they put in a lot of effort and hard work. Many blogs, articles, books telling about self-development have fallen on our consciousness. When we look at successful people in the media, we feel like failures.

Step-by-step instructions for personal growth

Step #1. Create an Intention: Ensure Ongoing and Sustainable Personal Growth

Ask yourself the question “Why do I need personal growth?” and answer it in detail. Explain to yourself why this is important. Think about your goals, what will motivate you and keep you from going off the rails in difficult times.

Step #2. Include all areas of your life in your personal growth plan

Of course, a personal growth plan is an individual story. And how it will look depends on your current situation, your desires, goals and what areas of your life are “sagging” at the moment. Someone built a career, but did not find love. Someone has created a strong, friendly family, but cannot find their purpose.

Personalize your personal growth plan based on your realities. Note your strengths and weaknesses, remember victories and defeats, record successes and omissions. Identify areas in which you are currently not doing well and have difficulties. Give them more time and effort.

But! Please note an important point: in terms of personal growth, absolutely all key areas of your life should be involved. There is no need to focus on just one thing, be it money, finding the perfect partner, or improving physical health. After all, our life will become truly happy only if all its areas are developed and balanced. Harmony and balance are the key to success!

This article will help you understand which area of ​​your life is developed and which needs adjustment:

Balance wheel. Turn your life into a masterpiece

Step #3. Develop spirituality

Spirituality is closely related to personal growth. Here are the key aspects of spirituality:

• Gratitude
  . Be grateful to this world, learn to sincerely thank the people around you.
• The ability to forgive
  . Remember about responsibility: only you are responsible for your life, no one is to blame for anything. Don’t accumulate grudges, learn to forgive and let go.
• Absolute love
  . Love yourself and your loved ones with sincere, selfless love, learn to accept yourself and the people dear to you as they are.

Step #4.
Read
more All successful people are well-read and regularly study new literature. Listen to this advice too.

What books do you need for personal growth? Make a list. These can be books on psychology and self-development, about health and lifestyle, about relationships and raising children, as well as special literature that will help you become a real professional in your field. It all depends on the tasks you set.

You might even want to learn speed reading. Why not? Books on developing thinking, memory and attention are at your disposal.

Or maybe your goal is to increase your income?

You can make any wish come true if you use these tips>>>

Superficial knowledge

Trying to conform to the image of a developed personality, you study everything: Marx, Kant, and the history of Ancient Greece. The lack of a systematic approach entails a lack of understanding of what is being studied. Knowledge remains superficial. It must be said that for many this is the norm: they want to appear informed without actually being so. To look like this, unsystematized knowledge from different areas is quite enough.