Tony Robbin’s 6 Human Needs

Robbins states:

…the force of life is the drive for fulfillment and all human beings share this need to experience a life of meaning. Ultimately, however, fulfillment can only be achieved through a pattern of living in which we focus our lives on two primary needs: the need to continuously grow and the need to contribute beyond ourselves in a meaningful way. Unhappiness, emotional distress and all dysfunctional behavior arises from an individual’s inability to find a consistent way to meet his/her Six Human Needs. When our attempts to reach fulfillment fail, we will settle for comfort – or for meeting our needs on a small scale. Every person finds a way to meet his/her needs; the only question is whether they will act in a way that is destructive or empowering to themselves and others long term. The goal of Six Human Needs Psychology is to help people create additional consistent choices – new patterns that allow them to be fulfilled long term. Ideally, they will achieve this is a way that feels good; that is good for them; that is good for others; and that ultimately serves the greater good.

Defining the Six Human Needs

Need # 1 – Love & Connection

This is the need to experience bonding, sharing, feeling a part of, oneness, intimacy, at one with, etc. In his book “Connect – 12 Vital Ties that Open Your Heart, Lengthen Your Life, and Deepen Your Soul”, Dr. Edward Hallowell refers to connection as “the other vitamin C”. Hallowell says connection is as vitally important to us as Vitamin C.

Need # 2 – Significance

This is the need to experience a sense of being needed, feeling important, sense of meaning, sense of purpose, uniqueness, etc. Notice how this need contrasts with need # 1.

Need # 3 – Certainty

This is the ability to produce, eliminate, or avoid stress; or create, increase, or intensify pleasure. It’s also about security and survival.

Need # 4 – Uncertainty / Variety

The need for surprise, difference, diversity, challenge, excitement, etc. Notice how this need contrasts with need # 3.

Need # 5 – Growth

This is the need to continuously fulfill potentials, to “be all that you can be.” This need drives you to become the “most complete you” possible.

Need # 6 – Contribution

This is the need to help others to be fulfilled (to help others meet their six human needs in a constructive way).

It’s possible to meet any or all of these six needs by changing either your:

Perception (belief or appreciation of)

Procedure (vehicles or approach to).

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