What Is Personal Empowerment and Why Is It Important?

Is your life what you imagined it would be? From the many conversations I have had over the years for too many the answer is no. They tell me that life gets in the way, circumstances change, and they find themselves with responsibilities. Or they tell me that life doesnt work like that or they just havent had their lucky break yet. Or maybe theyre waiting for the right moment. And so it goes on.

Did you know that nothing changes unless you change it? If you want to live the life you imagine that you can live, should live, or want to live, then you have to be the one in control. Its not always easy. If you dont feel empowered to direct and control your life, it can get away from you.

No matter what you are seeking - more wealth, less weight, a happier marriage, a better job it can only happen if you do something about it. Tired of people treating you poorly? Do something about it. Tired of being sick and unhealthy? Do something about it. Want your kids to do what they are told without ever arguing? Do. well, that might be impossible, but you can make it better. The point is, nothing changes if nothing changes. If you want something to be better, its up to each of us to take the necessary steps to see that it happens.

Personal empowerment is a collection of beliefs, actions and skills all working together to help you live a life that you design. Personal empowerment begins with a bit of self-awareness. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses. Its important to have a positive but realistic view of yourself.

The awareness thats required doesnt stop with your skills and abilities. It also includes your values and your goals. To be empowered you have to know what you want for your life and why.

Imagine deciding to choose a career based simply on the salary you might earn. Some people do make this choice; however, if theyre not motivated by money or dont feel like their values are aligned with their career choice, ultimately theyll end up unhappy and unsatisfied. The characteristics of empowerment are important.

Another element or component of personal empowerment is a positive mindset and a belief in yourself. Its not enough to want to achieve a goal; you have to know that you are capable of achieving your goal. If you dont, you wont.

Finally, while its not talked about often as a dimension of personal or self-empowerment, its also important to be ready, willing, and able to go after what you want. Someone can set goals and then plan and learn for years. However, if they dont actually follow through and take action, nothing happens.

When we think about what Personal empowerment is it comes down to belief in yourself, and follow-through. Its important because without some degree of personal empowerment, your life will live you. Youll continue to be a victim of circumstance and youll continue to live a life that isnt really what you want.

You might be wondering if these dimensions of personal empowerment are something that youre born with or if they need to be learned?

Thats a topic I will cover in the next post.

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Thanks for reading! You can find more of my articles at Paul Duxbury - Learning and Development in Focus