If you took an introductory psychology or marketing course, you probably learned about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which explains how human motivation impacts our lives.
Maslow’s theory applies to many disciplines, including education, businesses, and marketing where motivation training can lift individuals to their highest potential.
Although Maslow intended a hierarchy, he recognized that “hierarchies are interrelated rather than sharply separated,” and people may go on a less strict path.
This hierarchy ranges from more concrete physical needs such as food and water, rising to emotional needs, and to more abstract concepts such as personal growth and self-fulfillment.
Like most living things, humans are motivated first and foremost by our survival. It would be hard to excel at anything else without satisfying our living needs.