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In the context of this article personal power can be considered as the feeling of personal empowerment that you generate for yourself by taking deliberate action that you direct. Internally you feel ‘alive’.

When personal power is externalised, either at home or at the workplace, it is expressed with creativity, generosity and the empowerment of others.

This is distinct from “power” that might come with a certain title, position, authority or accountability.

The generation of personal power puts your in the driver’s seat and is independent of external circumstances or influences; although external circumstances and influences can add or take away from your reserve of personal power based on how you may respond to an event or situation.

Elevated levels of personal power can expand your capacity for happiness, resilience, and positive influence, which are becoming increasingly critical in workplaces where change is a constant.

Here I share with you the seven keys that I have discovered that I use to elevate my personal power for health and success.

1. REDEFINE WHAT PERSONAL SUCCESS MEANS TO YOU

Society’s concept of success is to have a bigger house, drive a nicer car, go on overseas holidays and when we get all these we are supposed to want more. Often, we are left with the experience of never really getting there or having enough or being enough. In reality, success can take many forms and it is up to you to define what a successful life looks like for you. For me, success has been in my personal growth and the distance that I have travelled to being the person that I have become today.

It is in the quality of the people that I have around me that nurture and support my growth and the contribution that I make in the world. My success is also defined with the level of my overall wellbeing, physically, mentally and emotionally. Consider what success really means to you and do more of what gives you the experience of success every day! You may be surprised how successful you really are!

2. LIVING YOUR LIFE FROM YOUR LIFE PURPOSE

Knowing and then living your life purpose can be a powerful tool for sailing throughout your life. When you set goals that are motivated mentally and emotionally your capacity to achieve these goals expands. The confidence to pursue and achieve these goals gives you personal power that eventually becomes an agent of personal change and your power for making courageous choices comes to life.

3. PRACTICE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

The essence of personal power is the exercise of choice and the acceptance of your own responsibility for those choices. This can be very empowering as you are not left with the experience of being victimised in any given situation, which frees you to take action towards a resolution and not be stuck there. You can lose personal power in a pattern of negative thinking or you could be putting up with something or saying yes to something you didn’t want to. At any given moment you can choose what your thoughts and attitude will be and hence your actions, in your personal relationships, your work, and your health.

4. THE PRACTICE OF GRATITUDE

The practice of daily gratitude is one of the most important practices that you could do to elevate your personal power. As soon as you state or write down what you a grateful for, the process immediately shifts your mind to a more positive mood and places you in the present moment. At a physiological level, the practice of gratitude results in the immediate release of Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. These hormones are associated with positivity and the feeling of calmness and safety. I commonly write five things that I am grateful for before going to bed or in a private moment during the day I might express gratitude for a particular situation.

5. FOCUS ON PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND NUTRITION

Regular exercise and proper nutrition are essential to bring and sustain physical power into your body. Keeping your body in peak shape not only gives you physical power but also supports your mental power and a greater sense of wellbeing. You can derive a great amount of personal power just from the day-to-day experience of being well and from achieving personal wellbeing goals.

6. PLACE EMPHASIS ON SUPPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Releasing relationships that no longer support your growth and developing new supportive and nurturing relationships can bring much personal power into your life. This is especially during times of stress and anxiety, which tend to be quite taxing on your personal power. Seek relationships that provide for deep and meaningful connections and support your personal and career goals.

7. KEEPING YOUR WORD

If you are a leader and you bend the rules you immediately give permission for others to do the same. You have to be able to give your word and keep it, to yourself and others. There’s a risk of loss of personal reputation and power when you don’t keep your word. Keeping or honouring your word is essential for maximising your pull of personal power.