May, 2009

Sometimes people ask my opinion on whether or not a certain word properly belongs on the Needs List.

"Is money a need?"

"How about order?"

"What about time-is time a need?"

Rather than seeing each word as simply a need or strategy, I prefer to investigate where I might place it on my "strategies to core needs continuum."

You can create one for yourself.

1. Take a blank sheet of paper and write something you want on the top. It can be anything from a new pair of shoes to world peace to wanting Bob to buy you a beer.

2. Ask yourself, "when I get that (want/need), then what deeper need is also met?" Write the answer under your want.

3. Ask again, "when I get that (want/need), then what deeper need is also met?" Continue to write the answers and ask the questions until you don't get any more answers.

4. The last need you come to could be considered one of your core needs. It may sound something like "peace," "unity," or "worthiness."

Whenever you feel your desire for that new pair of shoes, you will then know what core need is at the bottom of it. Then you can decide whether or not the new pair of shoes would be your favorite strategy to meet that need.

5. If you want to take it one step further, you can make two requests of yourself. The first is a request around meeting your core need. For example, to meet a need for peace, you might request of yourself to attend a meditation group.

The second request is around your original want. Perhaps you will end up putting a dollar a day in your shoe fund!

Thinking of needs and wants in this way expands my thinking and allows me to take action on the micro and macro levels all at the same time.

I think I'll start that shoe fund.... :-)