Balancing Personal Mastery and Social Interest: Lessons from Alfred Adler
Alfred Adler was an early psychoanalyst and contemporary of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Adler's theories offer profound insights into how we navigate the inherent limitations of life on this planet. As Gina Stepp aptly quotes him, “First, because we live on a small planet with few and precious resources, we each have a responsibility to work consistently to improve our life and the lives of all people on the earth. Second, none of us is the sole inhabitant of the earth, and our weaknesses make it impossible to survive without the help and fellowship of other human beings.”
Two central concepts of Adler’s psychology, Will-to-Mastery and Social Interest, are crucial in helping us navigate these constraints. One without the other is insufficient and potentially harmful. In this blog post, we’ll explore these concepts, their importance in Adler’s philosophy, and how they interrelate to enhance our lives and communities.
Will-to-Mastery: The Drive for Personal Growth
Will-to-Mastery is essential in Adler’s psychology of the individual. According to Adler, each of us strives toward personal goals that drive our behavior. This deep drive to progress towards our potential requires us to push beyond our comfort zones and embrace challenges that foster growth and change. In the practice of coaching, we embody this through liberating assignments, which encourage us to step into new behavioral territory repeatedly, helping our brains adapt to discomfort and challenge.
When I first began my personal development journey, I had grand ideas about who I could become but lacked practical tools to achieve progress. Now, I can identify areas for change and conduct repeatable experiments to generate the desired transformation. This approach benefits my clients as well. For instance, one client wanted to stop taking his achievements for granted and reward himself for his successes. After trying various tactics, he found joy in making a celebratory yodeling sound for small victories, a practice that has significantly boosted his competency in appreciating his accomplishments.
As I went through school, the challenge of writing papers consistently served as a personal application of Will-to-Mastery. By committing to the discipline, I confronted mistaken beliefs of inadequacy and cultivated the belief that I am capable of growth. Each week, I gathered more evidence of this truth, becoming increasingly proficient in this new skill. However, while Will-to-Mastery is crucial, it is limited without a socially-oriented focus.
Social Interest: The Power of Community
Social Interest, or Gemeinschaftsgefühl, roughly translates to “community feeling” and is central to Adler’s understanding of human happiness, purpose, and meaning. Adler’s perspective, as highlighted earlier, emphasizes our responsibility to improve the community we belong to since none of us can survive alone. We can foster this community feeling through activities like engaging with the people we are close with; our family, friends, and coworkers. These interactions can be aimed at ‘transformative engagement,’ where we connect deeply with our own desires and those of others, benefiting both ourselves and our communities.
Initially, my visions for my life were self-centered, motivated by potential personal pleasure. While not inherently wrong, they lacked the depth and satisfaction that comes from community involvement. Now, I focus on sharing my gifts with my close family, friends, and my clients. This outward orientation has allowed me to touch more lives, make new connections, and derive greater pleasure from benefiting others.
The Synergy of Will-to-Mastery and Social Interest
Will-to-Mastery and Social Interest are essential forces for leading satisfying lives. While we each strive toward an ideal, we find profound satisfaction, safety, and meaning in serving our communities. Aligning these forces makes us most effective and influential. If either force is lacking, we risk harm to ourselves or others. Therefore, it is our responsibility to harness both to create the greatest good for ourselves and others.
Alfred Adler’s concepts of Will-to-Mastery and Social Interest provide a balanced framework for personal and communal growth. By striving for personal mastery while focusing on community well-being, we can create meaningful and impactful lives. In our personal development work, these principles can guide our transformation, equipping us to contribute positively to the world. Let’s strive for self-mastery and social interest, creating a better world for ourselves and those around us.
References
Mitchell, Gregory. “Alfred Adler & Adlerian Individual Psychology.” Accessed January 12, 2021. Link
Perennial Psychology. “Social Interest: Finding Happiness & Belonging | Alfred Adler - Individual Psychology.” YouTube. Last modified December 30, 2020. Link
Stepp, Gina. “Alfred Adler: A Psychology of Change.” Last modified 2011. Accessed December 28, 2020. Link
Wright, Judith, and Bob Wright. Transformed! The Science of Spectacular Living. Nashville: Turner Publishing, 2012.
