In 1943 a psychologist, Abraham Maslow, came up with a theory to describe human behavior with respect to needs and wants being met. This theory was called the Hierarchy of Needs, and it shows that when people are unable to fulfill their needs and wants at a certain level, they will seek baser levels for fulfillment; and how if needs and wants are met then people will move to upper levels.
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Using this hierarchy, one can easily determine what level he or she is at and take the necessary steps to solve issues regarding needs and wants.
For instance, if you find yourself working extra hard to make sure you have stable employment or resources, this means you may be giving undue focus to your Safety Needs level. This could indicate that your Love and Belonging level is lacking and so you are trying to exhibit control over a lower level in order to retain some level of power in your life.
Conversely, if you are having issues with, say, being respected or having confidence (your Esteem level), it could be that you haven't completely fulfilled your needs and wants in your Love and Belonging level.
While these things are only theory, it is extremely useful as a gauge of where you are and where you would like to be.
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