Maslov's pyramid, and the development of greater apices

I guess this approach to personal development, is somewhat helical. While a rudimentary ascension of Maslov's hierarchy is relatively easy, one builds a larger pyramid always first by expanding the base. So growth is a cyclical struggle of developing more physiological capability, social capital, financial power, and intellectual influence. Whenever you build an apex, you go back down and make the foundations broader, then build a higher apex. Otherwise your slopes are too steep, if you build taller apexes without broader foundations, and there is more risk involved.