“Check Your Foundation” Comments, Page 1
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Hello Gordon,
Regarding your question, “Do you recognize some basic needs in your life that need to be met before you resume your pursuit of higher-level goals?,” which I find very interesting, I personally believe Maslow’s pyramid of basic needs is undoubtedly a good source to resort to when thinking of the reasons/causes why we are achieving or not achieving our life goals, at least in most cases. For instance, in my case, I am currently studying at the medical school to become a doctor (at 48) because, previously, I was meeting other basic needs, such as working to support myself and my children, and save for school. I did pursue another career when I was young (I’m a translator), but my “true dream”, what I always wanted to do, is what I am doing just now.
But, I also believe the cultural part plays a very important role. It’s different to achieve goals, be them basic, material, or higher level (intellectual, spiritual, for example) if you live in a third world country with an unstable economy. It’s harder (and pretty daunting) to keep your hopes, or simply project into the future (short-term) because the economy may crash any time, and all your dreams may just vanish in a second.
When the culture you belong to is the open-minded sort, you have better chances to achieve your life goals, but what happens when people live in very restrictive cultures? So, there are a number of diverse factors that may impact your goals, as well as the physical part (a child with ADHD is less likely to achieve his/her goals in the manner a child without ADHD would do).
Hence, we shall not forget each human being is unique and so are the circumstances that surround them.
Very good post!