Our changing needs

Our needs, day to day, are likely to change. In my case, the weather, the season, my workload, how I am interacting with others - all have a direct impact on where that leaves my needs. My needs are fundamentally unique to me (whilst universal to all!) but they are also subject to change and influence by a range of forces.

Understanding our emotional needs leads us to understand what we need to know, and how we need to be nourished, to feel mentally and emotionally healthy.

So for this series of coaching questions below (in red), I want you to reflect on how your needs might have changed - over different time frames.

What were the forces that shaped how your needs changed?

How do you know your needs changed?

What did any of this teach you about how to meet your needs, or how you needs need meeting?

If you haven’t already - check out the short video with Ivan Tyrell describing the 9 main emotional needs. Its good to get a snapshot today - but its also good to consider how our needs change over time and in different circumstances - and to be able to prepare or think strategically about how to meet your needs well.

Here are some questions to get you thinking:

How well have your needs been met during the course of last year?

What about the last month?

The last week?

Since yesterday?

Our needs can fluctuate for a range of internal and external reasons.

For each of the next questions, name three ways your needs change – and how you know.

How do your needs change with the seasons?

How do your needs change during the month?

How do your needs change during the week?

How do your needs change during the day?

What do you need to meet your needs going forward?

Using the Human Givens Model, identify which of your needs requires your most urgent attention. What one thing could you do to meet that need more satisfactorily?

Then consider how all your needs might be met more effectively in the course of the next day, the next week, the next month, and the next year.

Some further reflective thinking…

What are the small, medium and large-scale changes that need addressing so that your needs are met? 

What habits need cultivating to ensure your needs are met more effectively, more frequently?

Is meeting your needs important to you? Do you feel any resistance to meeting your own needs?

What does it mean to meet your needs, and given what you have explored above, what have you learned or seen anew?