Extend Your Personal Power Personal power is difficult to define, and its pursuit can lead us down more than a few misguided pathways. We may seek to express personal power outwardly with displays of wealth and status—bigger houses, bigger cars, expensive toys—or more subtly, with a designer suit, bespoke or custom shirt, and a set of platinum jewelry. Extending your personal power depends on understanding at least two things about it—first, the reason it matters to us, and second, its source. Scholars, philosophers, and thought leaders generally agree: We need to feel in control of our lives. The greater our sense of that ability to direct our own lives and move toward our aspirations, the happier we feel. It sounds simple, neatly summarized in this way, but achieving that sense of control, that personal power, is a complex process that may take a lifetime to master. The tricky thing about personal power and control is that we share the world with other people who are also striving to achieve the same things that we are. Ultimately, our power depends on the ability to interact with others and to cooperatively attain goals that are mutually beneficial. This talent or skill, in turn, requires a strong inner sense of our own self-worth. If we are confident in ourselves, we project that to others and become effective leaders. So, the essential challenge is two-fold: how to build the inner confidence that drives personal power, and how to effectively connect with others in order to be a true leader. Many of today’s most popular approaches take inspiration from a blend of self-help trends and ancient philosophies. They advise the following steps: 1. Learn and practice positive inner thinking. Turn off the inner voice that repeats distracting, negative self-talk, and replace it with positive messages and reminders of your value. It is true that kindness begins at home, and that means being kind to yourself. 2. Be open to change, and welcome the chance to learn and grow from it, just as you have in the past. Remember all the times you have successfully overcome challenges and know that you can do this again in the future. 3. Practice inner awareness to become mindful in your dealings with others. Build your selfawareness as a key to raising your emotional intelligence quotient, or EI. The term is new, but the concept is as old as Socrates, who advised his followers in 400 B.C. to “know thyself.” By noticing our feelings as they occur, we increase our ability to stand back and respond in a controlled, aware state, rather than an automatic, reactive state—the beginning of wisdom. The strongest, most successful leaders are often those who learn to view things from the perspective of those they are leading. Their outer appearance—designer cufflinks and all— projects a kind of power that is more attractive than threatening to others. They have the
ability—and the interest—to understand what others are experiencing and thinking. Combined with the inner strength that underlies personal power, this compassion for the views of others generates more effective decision-making for organizations of any size. Those who adopt these techniques can extend their personal power, and enjoy a greater sense of inner peace and confidence. Summary Extending your personal power begins with building a strong inner voice and belief in your own self-worth. Learn some strategies that combine personal power with compassion, to help you realize the life you want to achieve. Company Bio William Henry is an American luxury brand that designs and builds jewelry and luxury accessories for discerning men. The award-winning designs uniquely blend ancient arts with inspired, limited edition interpretations by today’s artisans. Each creation expresses the vision of a master craftsman, from pen knives to money clips, cuff links, and jewelry. Sought after by celebrities and collectors the world over, William Henry can be found at www.williamhenry.com, or call 888-563-4500.