What Is The Real Driving Force Behind Our Actions?

Why do we do what we do? What is the driving force behind our decisions, actions, and behaviours? Why is it that some things we do make us super happy, whilst other things leave us feeling unsatisfied and empty? In this Peak Tactics, we’re going to share the secret behind all of our decisions and actions. A driving force that is different for all of us, a force that can lift your spirits and bring you eternal happiness, but can also leave you disappointed and frustrated.

Want to avoid the waffle? 👇🏻

• There are 6 Human Needs certainty, uncertainty, significance, love/connection, growth and contribution

• The first four are non-negotiables we all need to fulfil these, growth and contribution are the key to fulfilment in life

• We all prioritise each need differently and do different things to fulfil these

• Every decision, action and behaviour we take is to fulfil these needs, some healthy some not so healthy

• First of all, do the words resonate with you or do you need to tweak them to something more personal to you i.e. certainty to safety

• Which of these needs are dominant for you right now? How would you rate each of these needs on a scale of 0-10 on fulfilment?

• What decisions or actions have you been taking to fulfil these?

• Which needs do you need to focus on to help get you through the next 6 months and beyond?

• If you don’t focus on these what will the consequence be?

• What decisions or actions can you take to help fulfil these needs (in question 3)

Uncertain times

The word “uncertainty” has been thrown about a lot in recent years, for a lot of us everything we took for granted has been thrown into doubt, our health, security, food, freedom, purpose, our daily routines, even our safety. You name it the things that were once a given changed pretty much overnight, which caused some of our anxiety levels to go through the roof as we navigate a time when our immediate future is unknown

For some, recent times have been better than a trip to Las Vegas, with more adventure and risk than we’ve ever been exposed to. Some have thrived on the uncertainty and variety it has bought, loving the challenge of the unknown, breaking daily routines and trying new ways of tackling life, and embracing opportunities that present themselves.

Then there are those who may have questioned their identity and significance, the value they once provided forgotten or no longer needed. The praise they once received for the things they did taken away from them, the hobbies and passions they love to do that contribute to their identity were put on hold.

For some, it has made them reflect on who is really important in their life. Who do they want to spend more time with, how can they spend more time with these people, or even where they can find these people.

Then there are those who have been driven to learn something new, taking a new direction, a course, reading a new book, listening to podcasts, obtaining new skills, anything that helps them to feel they are growing and progressing still.

Finally, there are those who have stepped up and been there for others, in whatever capacity helping out neighbours, volunteering, anything that contributes and makes a difference.

What recent times have brought to life is 6 human needs that are in all of us. 6 intrinsic motivating factors that heavily influence our actions, goals and overall happiness levels.

What are these 6 Human Needs

If you google “what drives our behaviour” you will see over 264 million results, from “Marlows Hierarchy of Needs” to Clark Hull and Kenneth Spence's "Drive Reduction Theory”, today though we will look at 6 human needs that are built into all of us identified by the business strategist and coach Tony Robbins - if you are familiar with Maslow’s needs you will see some familiarities. 4 of these needs help define our personality 2 are spiritual and provide fulfilment in life. These drives will have a different pull in each of us, some of us will place more importance on one or two than others. In order for us to fulfil these drives, we will have a set of beliefs, make decisions and take actions to meet these needs. Some of the actions we take to reinforce these are positive actions others are not so positive.

The 6 Human Needs are:

1. Certainty

2. Uncertainty/Variety

3. Significance

4. Connection / Love

5. Growth

6. Contribution

The first 4:

• Certainty: The need for security, consistency, and guarantee's you can avoid pain and gain pleasure, control and safety. Operating in your comfort zone

• Uncertainty/Variety: The need for the unknown, change, surprises, excitement, adventure, and choices. Operating outside your comfort zone

• Significance: The need to feel unique, important, special, valued, worthy, or needed

• Connection/Love: The need to feel closeness, intimacy, in alignment with someone or something beyond yourself.

The next two are more spiritual and provide life fulfilment.

• Growth: The need to constantly expand our capacity, ability, knowledge, or understanding

• Contribution: To need to go beyond ourselves, to give, protect, serve, help and support others

How do I use them?

These needs are more than just wants or goals to obtain, they are operating below the surface without us consciously aware of them. Every decision we make is determined by the need to satisfy these needs. Some of the decisions and actions we take will be positive others negative. For example, the person that finds significance in tearing others down, gossiping, playing politics to take advantage of others, or constantly checking their Instagram account for likes, may feel good for a short moment but it will not be sustainable.

On the flip side, gaining significance by doing a good job, doing something that adds value to others, being reliable, or being authentic may take more effort and will have a more lasting impact on you and others.

These needs can also be used to support others as well. If you make your customers feel significant and connected to your brand then the chances of them shopping and returning will heavily increase.

If you are working in a team and one of your team members isn't operating at 100% what is missing for them? Are they feeling bored with the day to day routines? Are they feeling uneasy about the future? Maybe they are not feeling valued? Maybe they feel unconnected with where the team is heading? Do they feel they are not being stretched or maybe feel they are not getting an opportunity to contribute to the success of the business?

Act Now!

We all prioritise these needs differently; it's what makes us all so unique, so a big part of working with these needs is to explore what you value and need most to get you to where you are trying to get to. So this call to action is about understanding your personal cocktail.

Give yourself 10mins to sit down, reflect, and write your answers to the following questions.

• First of all, do the words resonate with you or do you need to tweak them to something more personal to you i.e. certainty to safety

• Which of these needs are dominant for you right now? How would you rate each of these needs on a scale of 0-10 on fulfilment?

• What decisions or actions have you been taking to fulfil these?

• Which needs do you need to focus on to help get you through the next 6 months and beyond?

• If you don’t focus on these what will the consequence be?

• What decisions or actions can you take to help fulfil these needs (in question 3)

In summary

As mentioned there many theories around what drives our human behaviour, but I think there is something that rings true in these 6 needs that we can all relate to especially in times of change and concern. What do you think? Do any of these resonate with you? Leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading,

As always, dream big. act now!

*Human Needs Psychology created by Tony Robbins, check out www.tonyrobbins.com for more information