Our tutorial has reached the top rung of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs "ladder" which addresses the need for self-actualization, inner meaning and self-fulfillment.
Before you offer services and products at this level, just remember that the other needs have to be more or less filled first or people won't "get" what you're trying to do.
If you try to teach or facilitate services at this level before your target audience is ready, they’ll say it doesn’t work... or that you’re a lousy teacher – in which case YOUR reputation and standing will be lowered. So use this language and speak to these needs only to an audience that is primed for it.
But when you find that group of people, you help to elevate them to the stars. For example, can you help people picture their soul mission? People who have a need for inner meaning have probably had a good life materially, but may now be at that empty nest stage when they are ready to explore their inner self. They may have had an inkling about it earlier in life, but with jobs, kids, aging parents – what have you – their own self fulfillment always took a back seat. If you teach something they’re looking for and can find these folks in enough numbers, what a glorious business you can make for yourself.
Do you teach self-empowerment that goes farther than survival, security, a sense of belonging and being respected by others? This is spiritual power, a tricky concept, but the ultimate one. Do you help people connect with their Higher Self? At this level, you’ll find not only people who know what you’re talking about, you’ll also come across others who have reached the 5th rung… but don’t have the metaphysical or spiritual education to understand what a higher self is, never mind connect with it. They may have just got there naturally. Again, you need to know your audience. Who do you want to work with? These are not people desperate for money. They’ve got that figured out. But they are desperate to feel that their life has meaning.
We all know (maybe we all are) people who “get” the concepts of inner meaning and self-realization, but we haven’t secured our money rung yet. What do you do then, if you want to teach about self-fulfillment? It’s not going to be internalized if we’re worried about putting food on the table or buying gas. Fear, anxiety, and other emotions that lower vibration are going to inhibit that clear sense of God-consciousness that we’re aiming for. So this is one instance where you might have to work on two levels – or rungs – at the same time. I know some teachers – and students – in this situation. Struggling with rung two – security – while trying to live at number 5 – inner meaning. What could you do to solve this dilemma? If you can figure it out... you’ve got a humdinger business solution for recessionary times.
Now, to really capitalize on these ideas I’ve mentioned, I feel it’s important to pick one area – or rung – of the needs ladder and get well known for solving a problem or issue associated with it. This can get you word-of-mouth buzz and it will be easier to create a more solid-feeling presence because you’re not all over the map. People will know what you stand for and they can order your products and services when they’re ready for them.
The other thing to remember is that people with desperate needs are the people who are ready to buy your products and services. Until you’re pushed to the wall, especially when finances are tight, you tend to not open your wallet.
Philosophically and practically speaking, getting from rung one to two leads you past rung one and a half, which is where you can establish higher-level food/clothing/shelter and water businesses – such as the vegetarian cooking classes I mentioned in an earlier tutorial. We’re still dealing with survival issues, but on a higher level. Here survival is not so much about finding food, but about staying alive longer by keeping toxins and fats out of our bodies, rather than scrambling for our next meal.
At the other end of the spectrum, people don’t usually begin an intensive search for meaning until some crisis strikes or they feel so out of sorts – one of my teachers called it spiritual discontent – that they feel they have no choice but to venture inward for their answers. You probably know tons of people like this. Again, it’s the need that spurred them to take classes, devour books, watch The Secret and so on.
People have built successful businesses helping others move from crisis to inner peace. And it’s not to say anyone is being taken advantage of in a bad – or needy – situation. It’s just that at a certain point in our lives, we have these needs and we look for answers. If you’re Johnny-on-the-spot with an answer for their need, you’re hired!
Here's the page on my website with the "ladder" graphic for Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs so you can plan your business adjustment: www.newradiance.com/r-p-ladder.htm
Cheers!
