When the Need for Uncertainty / Variety is Important to You
Let’s first review Abraham Maslow’s theory of human needs. In 1943, Abraham Maslow proposed the hierarchy of psychological needs, illustrating an order of human motivation.
It is often depicted as a pyramid because Maslow initially suggested that we must satisfy our Physiological Needs first, followed by our need for Safety, Love, and a Sense of Belonging, then Self-Esteem, and finally, Self-actualization in that order.
Maslow later clarified that the order in the hierarchy “is not nearly as rigid” as he originally implied.
For example, for some, the need for Self-Esteem could be more important than the need for Love. For others, the need for creative fulfillment may supersede even the most Basic Needs.
For these reasons, Cloé Madanes, a world-renowned innovator and teacher of family and strategic therapy, separated the Emotional areas from the Physical and reworked the needs into “The Six Human Needs.“
Cloé explains that the Six Human Needs are not “Desires” but actual “Psychological Needs” that we continually try to satisfy consciously and subconsciously.
Your needs influence your deepest motivations and determine how you prioritize your decisions and actions throughout your life.
If you try to meet those needs that are not in line with your values, you will experience conflict and discontent.
Conversely, when you can align your needs with your highest values, you will feel more fulfilled and complete.
The Six Human Needs work in pairs: Certainty with Variety, Significance with Love and Connection, and Growth with Contribution.
The first two pairs are in constant search of balance.
When you feel that you don’t have enough of one of the needs when you have too much of the other.
On the other hand, the bottom two needs, Growth, and Contribution, can grow separately or together.
What is the Need for Uncertainty / Variety?
- You believe happiness comes from many experiences and challenges that exercise your emotional, intellectual, or physical range.
- Your emotional well-being requires Uncertainty, suspense, and surprise.
- It would be best if you had the excitement that comes from variety.
The need for Uncertainty / Variety means that you are constantly striving for variety and change.
The combination makes life much more interesting, unpredictable, challenging, and fun.
In your search for Uncertainty, you might decide to take risks or confront your fears to deal with conflict.
If you’re currently experiencing conflict, it could be due to your need for Uncertainty.
Your need for Uncertainty could be so strong that you’re purposefully looking for high-stress crises that create discomfort.
This might seem silly on the surface; however, the alternative is predictable, safe, secure, and dreary.
As with anything good, an oversupply of a good thing is always riddled with consequences.
An excess of Uncertainty can often lead to higher levels of stress, worry, overwhelm, frustration, and fear, which can very quickly get out of control.
And as a result, you immediately turn to Certainty for Comfort, predictability, and security.
And so, the cycle goes on as you jump from one need to the next in succession.
How quickly or far you jump will depend on how you prioritize your needs.
How Uncertainty / Variety Serves You
- You have many interests.
- People usually see you as entertaining, dynamic, engaging, and fun.
- You can always find new things to do and new adventures.
- You have many friends from different backgrounds.
- You interact well with people of all ages and all walks of life.
- You are trusting and think the best of people.
- You’re not easily bored because you can always find something interesting to do.
- You’re fun-loving and carefree.
- You’re usually upbeat, and you like to enjoy life to the fullest.
How Uncertainty / Variety Hurts You
There are times when stability and responsibility in relationships are the priorities in achieving balance in life. Sometimes, focusing on subjects and tasks that are not particularly interesting to obtain rewards later is necessary.
- People say they can’t count on you, that you are uncommitted, unreliable, and don’t take care of your loved ones.
- You can be involved in too many things and neglect what you must do to ensure your safety and comfort.
- You can get into dangerous or difficult situations physically, emotionally, and financially.
- Sometimes, you can be careless about things vital to you and others.
- Your trusting, optimistic nature allows people to take advantage of you.
- Studying, memorizing, and sitting still can be difficult for you and may result in challenges in your career.
- You can become unfocused.
Uncertainty / Variety Focus
- You focus on seeking excitement and change.
- Your focus is on what is new and exciting or challenging.
- While involved in an adventure, you’re planning the next one.
- You like suspense and exertion.
Uncertainty / Variety Energy
- You’re energetic and need to focus on several projects.
- You’re focused outwardly on what there is to do next.
- Whether a spectator or an active participant, you constantly seek stimulation and entertainment.
Uncertainty / Variety Health
- You stay fit by being involved in all the activities that interest you.
Uncertainty / Variety What You Avoid
- You avoid a life of habits and routines.
- You don’t like to be involved in relationships that restrict you from new challenges and experiences.
- You avoid boredom.
Uncertainty / Variety Strengths
- You’re enthusiastic, independent, and fun to be with.
- You like to live so that there is never a dull moment.
- You see the glass half full.
- You’re a leader, and you can be the life of the party.
- You’re not afraid of taking risks.
- You’re playful and optimistic.
Uncertainty / Variety Communication Style
- You like to talk about different projects and adventures.
- You can be so enthusiastic in your conversation that you forget to listen to the other person or to ask their opinion.
- Sometimes, you become restless and need to stand up and walk around during a conversation.
- You frequently use fear, instability, change, chaos, entertainment, suspense, exertion, surprise, conflict, and crisis.
Uncertainty / Variety Stress
- You are stressed when you lack the time or means to engage in new challenges and adventures.
- A routine life stresses you.
- You’re upset if your physical condition prevents you from participating in activities you like.
- Restrictions on your freedom are very stressful to you.
Uncertainty / Variety Defensiveness
- You get defensive when someone attempts to impose routines or schedules or to restrict your social life.
- You can get angry when people criticize your desire for adventure and entertainment.
Uncertainty / Variety Emotions
- You like to feel excited, thrilled, exuberant, joyful, and adventurous.
- You do everything possible to avoid boredom.
- Your ability to experience a broad range of emotions makes it easy to empathize with others.
- You know you can experience what they are experiencing.
Your Goal for Achieving Uncertainty / Variety Growth and Balance
Your Goal for achieving Uncertainty / Variety Growth and Balance is to have roots, stability, and permanent relationships while enjoying exciting and adventurous times.
What to do?
- Taking care of yourself and others needs to be more of a priority.
- It would be best if you were a better judge of character.
- It would be best if you lived more in the present than in the future.
What can interfere with your Goal?
- An infinite number of new, exciting experiences are open to you.
- It isn’t easy to choose among them and stay with what you must focus on in the present.
- Sometimes, you focus too much on yourself and what you want.
- You can be easily distracted.
How can others support you?
- Others can support you by encouraging and praising you when you stick to a task that is not particularly exciting; take steps to take care of yourself and provide stability for yourself and your loved ones.
- People can help you to stay in the present.
Uncertainty / Variety Advice
- It would be best to focus more on the present and less on the next adventure.
- You must create a stable, harmonious environment and develop long-lasting relationships.
- It would be best if you focused on activities that are not particularly exciting but that lead to actual accomplishments in the future.
