Shadowing Practice: The 5 Needs That Motivate You And How You Get Stuck - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
79 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hi, I'm Dr. Tracy Marks, a psychiatrist, and I make mental health education videos.
2
Today, I'm talking about what drives you and gives you motivation.
3
There are several theories that explain what drives your behavior.
4
The leading motivational theory was developed by Abraham Maslow, called Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
5
This hierarchy is illustrated as a pyramid with the most basic needs at the bottom of the pyramid
6
and more advanced needs at the top.
7
The idea is that our needs are progressive.
8
Your lower level needs must be fulfilled before you're motivated to move to the next level.
9
Here's the pyramid.
10
At the bottom, you have physiological needs like the need for food, water, sleep, and shelter.
11
The next level is a need for safety and self -preservation.
12
This includes feeling emotionally stable, independent, and observing law and order.
13
These two levels are your basic needs, and when these needs aren't met, you feel severely deprived.
14
The next level on the pyramid is the need for affiliation and belonging.
15
This is where you establish intimate relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners, or you connect to a group or a cause.
16
So for example, even if you're someone who doesn't like being around people that much, or you have no friends,
17
this need could still be fulfilled by having a parent who cares about you, or being a proud
18
Jets fan, or a Catholic.
19
In other words, this level includes affiliating with an entity bigger than the individual
20
that allows you to feel like you belong to something and are not completely alone.
21
The next step up on the pyramid is the need for status and self -esteem.
22
With these needs, you're motivated to establish self -respect, recognition, and a mastery of something.
23
These two levels are your psychological needs.
24
When these needs aren't met, you can feel empty, detached, devalued, inferior, and undeserving.
25
The last and the highest level is the need for self -actualization.
26
This level is about personal growth.
27
These are things like recognizing and fully utilizing your talents to the greatest benefit, feeling like your life and actions have meaning and create value,
28
or experiencing contentment that you have a life that's well -lived.
29
And you don't have to be 80 to feel like you've lived a good life
30
this is a relative judgment at this level of self -assessment you're looking at what you have been
31
and are currently doing and how much that matters to you even
32
if you have more that you want to do in fact having more to do
33
or more to look forward to is a good place to be
34
because then you still have other options to keep you growing
35
this last level is a self -fulfillment need
36
we started with basic progressed to psychological
37
then to self -fulfillment another way to group these needs is to consider the first four deficiency needs
38
and the last one a growth need why does any of this matter
39
because you can get stuck on one of these levels
40
and feel deficient or unsatisfied
41
and not know why you don't have to meet your needs a hundred percent at each level before
42
you move on to the next one
43
but they need to be predominantly satisfied for example let's say you're 35
44
and you don't have a life partner like you thought you would by your late 20s or even early thirties.
45
And that may be a sore spot for you and make you feel discontent with where you are in your personal life,
46
but it doesn't keep you from feeling accomplished professionally.
47
Here's another way that this can play out.
48
Your personality can make you prioritize certain needs over others.
49
For example, according to the pyramid, the need for intimacy comes before the need to be accomplished and well -respected.
50
But let's say you don't see relationships as important and focus more on being financially successful and a guru in your field.
51
But even when you get to the point of making a lot of money and being promoted in your field,
52
it still feels empty and you're not satisfied.
53
You think it's because there's still another level that you haven't reached in your profession,
54
or maybe you're in the wrong business and need to start with something else.
55
In this hypothetical example, you never really get to the point of feeling satisfied with your level of accomplishment.
56
Maybe it's because you skipped over the belonging and love needs.
57
You're chasing money and recognition to fill the void of not being connected to someone or something that's meaningful to you.
58
And the job or business just doesn't meet that intimacy need.
59
This is a simple example of how recognizing your needs
60
and taking an inventory of what you have and what's missing can help you get unstuck if you feel unfulfilled.
61
According to Maslow, most people don't live in the self -actualization level, but instead hover around the belonging and status levels.
62
He proposed that self -actualized people have certain characteristics, and here are seven of them.
63
One, they are accepting of themselves and others and have a democratic worldview.
64
And this is democratic in the general sense, like anti -authoritarian.
65
Two, they embrace the unknown and can tolerate uncertainty.
66
Three, they prioritize the journey over the destination, so the experience matters more than the outcome.
67
Four, they establish deep relationships with a few people and need their privacy and alone time.
68
Five, they are concerned with the welfare of humanity as a whole.
69
Six, they have a non -hostile sense of humor.
70
They can laugh at themselves, but they don't find humor in jokes that are hostile, which are jokes that make fun of other people,
71
or they don't find humor in jokes that are superior, which insult or demean people.
72
Number seven, they're problem -focused instead of self -focused.
73
Becoming self -actualized is a goal to aim for, but not getting there doesn't mean you failed in life.
74
It's more about being self -fulfilled by whatever means works for you.
75
Watch this video for more on doing things that matter
76
or how to find meaning and value in things as a way towards self -fulfillment if you haven't already seen that video,
77
and then watch this one on how being excessively positive is damaging to your self -esteem.
78
Thanks for watching.
79
See you next time.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Same Channel
B21
How to Deal with Negative Emotions - Distress Tolerance
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
Toxic Positivity: The Reality of Suppressing Emotions
C1How to Recognize a Toxic Relationship
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C1Coping skills and Psychological Defenses - An Introduction
American AccentDaily ConversationUniversity Students
C12
Big Egos vs. Strong Egos: How To Spot A Weak One
American AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C12
Why You’re Patient With Everyone Except the People at Home
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B23
Why You Snap at Small Things (It’s Not Your Fault)
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
C1Self-Esteem: How It Changes And 2 Ways to Boost It
American AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B22
Why You Can't Stop Worrying About the Future
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
Want a Stronger Mind? Start With These 3 Micro Habits
American AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B24
How To Visualize Your Success: Mental Rehearsal To Build Resilience
American AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C11
Mental Debugging: How to Build Resilience After Failure
American AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C117
A Psychiatrist Explains "Quiet Cracking" (While Your Work Still Looks Fine)
American AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C16
Why Knowing Better Doesn’t Help in the Moment
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B26
Why You Still Feel Drained After Taking Time Off
American AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B27
How To Build a Strong Mind: New Focus on Resilience
American AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B23
Why You're Exhausted After Meetings (Even If You Didn't Speak)
American AccentBusiness EnglishWorking Adults
B21
Why You Can't Focus: Is It ADHD or Just Stress?
American AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B22
The Science of How Your Brain Forms Habits (and How to Take Control)
American AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B24
Which Exercise Actually Wins for Brain Health?
American AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
C17
15 sentences
A deeper psychological driver of motivation. @Dr.ShadeZahrai
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C11
31 sentences
The Difference Between Want and Should
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B13,072
18 sentences
Discipline Beats Motivation
American AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C11
141 sentences
Mark Manson: Self-control is a complete illusion
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C11
246 sentences
Why Life Feels Boring (And Skyrim Doesn’t)
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C12
374 sentences
10 ways to build extreme confidence using neuroscience
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C180
7 sentences
The Truth About What Should Motivate You
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C122
36 sentences
Why successful people set habits, not just goals | Wendy Wood
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C11
347 sentences
Doctor Explains: How to Train Your Brain to Crave Doing Hard Things
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C13
97 sentences
Jordan Peterson - You Need a Routine!
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
C14
198 sentences
Command Your Life: The Neuroscience of Self-Worth & Power
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “The 5 Needs That Motivate You And How You Get Stuck”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: self, pyramid, example, feeling. This video has 79 sentences and 1064 words to shadow. The speech runs for 6:09. The speaker talks at a natural 173 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 84% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| pyramid noun | /ˈpɪɹ.ə.mɪd/ | An ancient massive construction with a square or rectangular base and four triangular sides meeting in an apex, such as those built as tombs in Egypt or as… |
| belong verb | /bɪˈlɒŋ/ | To have its proper place. |
| establish verb | /ɪˈstæb.lɪʃ/ | To make stable or firm; to confirm. |
| satisfy verb | /ˈsætɪsfaɪ/ | To be enough (for) |
| fulfill verb | /fʊlˈfɪl/ | To satisfy, carry out, bring to completion (an obligation, a requirement, etc.). |
| humour noun | /ˈhjuːmɚ/ | The quality of being amusing, comical, funny. |
| recognition noun | /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/ | The act of recognizing or the condition of being recognized (matching a current observation with a memory of a prior observation of the same entity). |
| connect verb | /kəˈnɛkt/ | To join (to another object): to attach, or to be intended to attach or capable of attaching, to another object. |
| psychological adjective | /ˌsaɪ.kəˈlɑː.d͡ʒɪ.kl̩/ | Of or pertaining to psychology. |
| hostile adjective | /ˈhɑstəl/ | Not friendly; appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence or a desire to thwart and injure. |
| accomplish verb | /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/ | To finish successfully. |
| esteem verb | /ɪˈstiːm/ | To set a high value on; to regard with respect or reverence. |
| hierarchy noun | /ˈhaɪ.ə.ɹɑː(ɹ).ki/ | A body of authoritative officials organized in nested ranks. |
| intimacy noun | /ˈɪn.tɪ.mə.si/ | Intimate relationship. |
| motivate verb | /ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ | To provide someone with an incentive to do something; to encourage; to actuate. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| look forward to verb | To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure; to be excited or eager to. |
| play out verb | To play (a game etc.) to its conclusion. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was developed · is illustrated · must be fulfilled |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | you've lived · have been · haven't reached |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | someone who doesn · hostile, which are |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 27 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, don't, doesn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: thirty /ˈθɝti/, hypothetical /ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkəl/, authoritarian /əˌθɑ.ɹəˈtɛɹ.i.ən/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: establish /ɪˈstæb.lɪʃ/, recognition /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/, accomplish /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/, shelter /ˈʃɛltə/, destination /dɛstɪˈneɪʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: recognition /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/, psychological /ˌsaɪ.kəˈlɑː.d͡ʒɪ.kl̩/, hierarchy /ˈhaɪ.ə.ɹɑː(ɹ).ki/, intimacy /ˈɪn.tɪ.mə.si/, superior /sʊˈpɪɹ.i.ɚ/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like pyramid, belong, establish.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.