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One of the best-known classifications of sociological and biological needs comes from Abraham Maslow. According to that classification, the hierarchy of human needs is the following:

•physiological needs: need for air, water, food, warmth, sleep and sex;

•safety needs: a need to be protected;

•need for love and belonging: a need to belong to some group important to the person and to feel cared for and loved;

•need for esteem: the need to be recognized by other people;

•need for self-actualization: the need to achieve according to a person’s abilities, skills and knowledge.

This is usually depicted in the form of a pyramid: physiological needs form the basis and the need for self-actualization is at the top. To meet the next need, the lower needs have to be satisfied. You cannot be successful when you are not esteemed. You are not esteemed if you do not belong anywhere. You cannot belong anywhere if you are afraid. You cannot feel safe if you are dissatisfied, thirsty, hungry or too tired.

There are hundreds of millions of people in the world trying to realise themselves, waiting for recognition, wanting to belong somewhere, but not succeeding. Why? Because their basic needs are unsatisfied. After they are satisfied, you can move on to the next level.

Satisfying one’s needs is happiness. You are happy if you have good health, if you are rested, fresh and satisfied. You are happy if you feel secure, undisturbed and comfortable. You are even happier when you know that you are cared for and counted on. You are still happier when you are recognized, praised and needed. And you are the happiest when you can realise yourself, do what you want, achieve something, progress, etc.