It’s becoming more common to throw around phrases like “Personal Power,” “Agency,” and “Personal Sovereignty,” but what exactly is “Personal Power”? Why is it important to know and use these principles? How can they help you thrive in your life?

Many of us enter the self-development world with pain as our catalyst. For me, that pain came from a misunderstanding and misuse of Power (manipulation and dominance). Unfortunately, this misuse of Power is all too familiar to most people, but especially those who identify as women, LGBTQIA, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and other marginalized communities.

For centuries, we have experienced Power as coercion, intimidating us into standing still, defining who we should and should not be, and dictating how we are supposed to act. This Dominant Dogma message tells us that we cannot trust our voice and that we are only worthy if we fit into a specific box that society, religion, family, and the world have drawn for us.

Dominant Dogma: Cultural narratives and beliefs which externally—and subsequently internally as adaptive strategies—tell you who you are supposed to be, how to do it, and what you need to buy to live that out.

Sound familiar?

These are the beliefs that have surrounded us, causing us to FEEL powerless or incapable of exerting any control over our human experience.

That’s where Personal Power, and Living Our Freedom Now, come into play.

We are all born with Personal Power.

It’s innately within us.

No one can take it away.

No one can hand it back.

It’s up to us, individually, to harness our Power and conduct ourselves with authenticity and integrity.

That sounds like a great ideal, but what does this mean practically? How do we facilitate this change within ourselves?

See, the only thing we truly have control over is ourselves. Personal Power and Personal Sovereignty is the act of taking ownership of ourselves and our actions.

It’s shifting from an External Locus of Control to an Internal Locus of Control. 

Internal Locus of Control: The belief that one has Power over outcomes and choosing to take ownership of what IS in one’s control (self). 

External Locus of Control: The belief that one has no power. That all outcomes are beyond the control of the individual.

For example, a number of years back, I was in a position where I was over working myself to the point of burnout. I felt I “had to” (external locus of control) work long hours; otherwise, I would be a “bad” co-worker and business partner.

I allowed external pressure to convince me I had no choice, no power, in that situation.

After working with a coach, my coach supported me to shift my perspective. I learned to employ my Power and take responsibility for what was in my control (internal locus of control).

I noticed when my body needed rest, and I honored that. 

I processed my emotions instead of stuffing them. 

I crafted healthy boundaries which allowed room for me to be human.

Now, picking up Personal Power can result in ruffling some feathers. You may experience resistance, conflict, and discomfort before it gets better.

When we set boundaries, when we speak our truth, not everyone will like or accept our choices. That is WHY many of us hand over our Power. We desire safety. We want to belong. We want to minimize chaos. We want people to like us. It’s a natural survival instinct. Truthfully, it’s often easier at the moment to relent, bend, and surrender, but eventually, we experience the long-term cost as we suffer within our psyche.

To truly thrive, our whole selves must be allowed to shine.

When we channel our Power, speak our truth, and craft aligned solutions for ourselves, our vitality has the opportunity to flow freely.

We can finally breathe again.

Create again.

Laugh again.

Personal Power is a path to true freedom.

Are you ready to pick up YOUR Power and claim goodness right here and now? Click here to Learn More about working with me as your coach!