Why do we do what we do?

How you can use the Six Human Needs to become the architect of your life

The now-famous Tony Robbins TED talk that introduced the Six Human Needs took place over 15 years ago, back in 2006 in Monterey, California. That talk, “Why We Do the Things We Do,” was one of the first six TED talks ever. Tony is a captivating speaker and every person on the planet wants to understand themselves a little better so he was a superior early speaker choice. 

In this episode of the Tony Robbins Podcast, you will hear Tony delve deeper into why we do what we do. He’ll discuss each of the Six Human Needs – certainty, significance, variety, love/connection, growth and contribution – and how each influences our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, actions and even what we buy. It’s a taste of what you will experience at his signature event, Unleash the Power Within, an epic four-day seminar that challenges you to find your true purpose and pursue your goals. And it’s one of the most important skills that you will ever acquire. 

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The importance of human needs 

What shapes human behavior? Why is there violence, greed and negativity in the world? Is it human nature or can it be stopped? Great minds have been debating these essential questions for centuries. 

You don’t have to be a philosopher to want to understand human behavior. It’s just as important for your personal growth. Because by understanding the needs that shape your behavior, you will be able to take back control over your life and learn how to create new patterns that lead to lasting fulfillment. Once you’re able to identify which human needs have been driving your decision-making, you can more accurately work to fulfill those needs. 

You can also predict others’ needs and better respond to them. Whatever emotion you’re after, whatever goal you pursue – whether it’s building a business, understanding your partner, raising a family or traveling the world – the Six Human Needs are a powerful tool.

So – why do we do what we do? 

There are six basic, universal needs that make us tick and drive all human behavior. Every person in this world has a reason for what they do. Everyone has a story – but there are only six reasons behind every story. What makes us individuals is that each of us value and prioritize these needs in different ways, and each of us have varied beliefs about what it means to meet those needs. This is what becomes the driving force behind why we do what we do, and determines the direction of our lives. 

We can fulfill our needs in ways that are positive, neutral or negative, and the things we do to fulfill our needs become our patterns. But many patterns don’t serve us. “Most people meet their needs in a way that works in the moment but not long term,” Tony says. Understanding how to break negative patterns is how we become the architects of our lives, instead of bystanders. 

The power of certainty 

There is one need that is the most common answer to why we do what we do: certainty. We all need to feel certain that we can avoid pain and that, ideally, we can have comfort. The need for certainty is a survival need. As Tony says, “People are driven by more than one thing. And often that thing is certainty.” 

Other needs are more spiritual. Tony says, “Everyone finds a way to fulfill the other needs, but very few find a way to fulfill these needs.” Will you be one of the few? Listen to the podcast to hear which needs are most powerful, which are spiritual and how you can fulfill them all in healthy ways. 

Once you understand the Six Human Needs, “You will never see the world the same way if you stay awake. Instead of seeing people’s behaviors, you’re going to see their attempts to meet their needs.”

SHOW NOTES

[00:30] Ana introduces the 6 human needs
[01:30] Tony first introduced the human needs at the TED conference
[02:10] Whatever people do they always have a reason
[02:28] There are underlying patterns for all emotions, behavior and actions
[03:00] The most important pattern to understand is why people do what they do
[03:20] Comes down to 6 reasons — the 6 human needs
[03:45] Once you know what drives somebody, you know how to meet their needs
[04:10] The need for certainty
[04:20] Avoiding pain and finding comfort
[04:50] Each person values different needs
[05:00] Certainty driven people do not respond well to change
[05:30] Which needs are your top two — this determines your direction and your destiny
[06:10] Two people can value the same needs, but differ in their beliefs about what that means
[06:30] We all need certainty, but where does it fall on your list, and what does certainty mean to you?
[07:00] You must know your needs and what your blueprint is
[07:20] You can meet your need for certainty in ways that are positive, neutral or negative
[07:45] Most people meet their needs in a way that works in the moment, but not long term
[09:35] Find the empowering ways of meeting your needs
[09:55] We keep our problems because they meets our needs
[10:10] Why do we stay in bad relationships?
[10:45] Eventually we reach our threshold
[11:45] People will give up their goals and dreams to meet their needs
[13:00] What if you had absolute certainty in every aspect of your life?
[13:30] The second human need — uncertainty
[14:25] Any time your mind perceives that doing, believing or feeling something meets at least three of your needs, then you will become addicted to that thought, feeling or action
[15:55] How do you get variety?
[16:40] The need for significance — feeling special, unique and important
[17:20] The relationship between violence and significance
[19:00] The fourth human need — love and connection
[20:25] Men will die for significance, women will die for love
[21:30] Finding significance in positive ways
[22:10] Most people find a way to feel significant by having a significant problem
[22:40] Problems are the safest way to connect and not be rejected
[24:30] The biggest addiction in our culture
[25:25] The final two needs are spiritual – growth and contribution
[26:00] Progress is happiness
[26:30] The purpose of a goal
[27:00] Contribution and stepping outside ourselves
[27:30] Growth and contribution are what fulfill us
[28:50] Tony’s personal story about uncovering someone’s real needs
[32:25] Instead of seeing people’s behaviors, see their attempts to meet their needs

Team Tony

Team Tony cultivates, curates and shares Tony Robbins’ stories and core principles, to help others achieve an extraordinary life.

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