Understanding the Needs That Drive Our Behavior

Last week, we talked about the 6 Basic Human Needs and how unmet needs can affect the way we feel, think, and behave.

I also mentioned that we would begin looking at personality needs this week. Before we move into those, I want to spend one more week helping you identify which of the 6 Basic Human Needs may be driving your current behaviors.

As a reminder, the 6 Basic Human Needs are:

1. Growth — the desire to grow or expand in any area of life.

2. Contribution — the desire to give or serve.

3. Significance — the desire to feel recognized, important, and/or meaningful.

4. Uncertainty — the desire for change, novelty, and exploration.

5. Love and Connection — the desire to feel and express love and/or closeness.

6. Certainty — the desire to feel safe and secure.

When one or more of our basic needs are unmet, we may behave in certain subconscious ways to try to get those needs met. Our subconscious often leads us toward the quickest way to find relief, but the quickest solution is not always the healthiest or best option for us.

These responses are often “quick fixes,” and while they may give us temporary relief, they do not always help us meet our needs in a lasting or meaningful way.

It can be helpful to understand the order and hierarchy of the unmet needs that may be driving our behaviors.

Using the 6 Basic Human Needs list, rank each need on a scale of 1–10, based on how important that need feels to you right now.

A score of 1 means the need does not feel very important at this time.

A score of 10 means the need feels extremely important at this time.

After you assign each need a score, place them in order from most important to least important.

My Basic Human Needs List

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. 
   
6. 
   

Once you have completed your ranking, take some time to reflect on what you notice.

Ask yourself:

Which needs are most important to me right now?

Which needs feel unmet?

How might these unmet needs be influencing my choices, emotions, or behaviors?

What healthier steps could I take to begin meeting these needs?

This reflection can help you become more aware of which basic human needs may be driving your behaviors on a subconscious level. With greater awareness, you can begin aligning your conscious goals with your deeper internal needs and motivations.

Next week, we will begin exploring personality needs: what they are, how to identify them in yourself, and how understanding them can help you live with more awareness and fulfillment.

If you would like to delve deeper into these needs and explore how they may be affecting your life, please contact me for one-on-one coaching.