To really be a significant contributor to society and to be of benefit
to others, we must develop, access and control some power.
Here's a simple example. Let's say you'd like to contribute to a
favorite charity. For our example, let's use one of the many relief
organizations that provides food for children. If $24 a month feeds a
child, how many children can you feed with a one hundred dollar
contribution?
More fundamentally, weakness is not our nature. Weakness breeds
"co-dependency" where one party is disproportionately dependent upon
another. When each of us is powerful, we can contribute each to the other
in a productive relationship; what Stephen Covey might call
"inter-dependence". In this state, the product of our combined talents and
power is exponential.
For any organization or relationship to work, we must first start with
each of us understanding personal power. To be highly productive, we must
be dedicated to consistent self-improvement. This process creates
opportunities for the individual and success for both the individual and
the organization.
NO!
Don't panic, I'm only joking! Let me make my point clear.
Let's not confuse weakness by circumstances beyond one's control with
the weakness bred from complacency, fear and doubt. There are times when
we must care for someone who is ill, impoverished by conditions truly
outside one's control or the victim of a disaster.
Most of the time, however, this is not the problem. The problem is that
the vast majority of us have access to limitless resources in talent,
knowledge and even money. I have met several people in my life who have
made tremendous successes of themselves despite starting in abject
poverty.
To be blunt, it makes me sick to listen to talented, intelligent and
resourceful people complain about conditions that can be changed with a
little motivation, discipline and time.
It's our responsibility to be powerful and to help others.
Most of us are capable of achieving nearly any goal within the scope of
our talents and abilities. My mission is to encourage as many as possible
to do so!
When is it "about the money?" Usually when we don't have enough!
I do not preach a "get rich quick" system. I don't even care if getting
rich is your vision of success. On the other hand, I won't lie to you! It
helps!
However, money without clear goals and a strong ethical purpose is the
same as not having any money to begin with. I read recently that nearly
80% of large jackpot lottery winners are broke within 5 years of winning!
Why is this?
If someone lacks personal power, then money will not change very much.
I must change my own life; money might help me do so but money does not
have the capacity to change ME.
Some might say money is power. I disagree. Money is a reservoir
for power. One of several including knowledge and health. Just as water
standing behind a dam doesn't really produce power until it flows over the
turbines in a power station, it's up to us to transform the potential
in money to a form useful for change and betterment in our lives.
First we have to develop personal power. Then we'll access the great
reserves of potential power around us, including money. The fact is that
money is attracted to those who understand and express personal power.
Those who live with an attitude of poverty find it very difficult to find
money.
Lao Tzu says...
"Those who master others have force;
"Those who master themselves have strength."
This simple phrase has been translated many ways. In effect, it means
that if I impose my will or power on others, I may be able to control them
somewhat, by force. Force is expensive and may not be sustained
indefinitely.
If I develop my "self", I gain true power. People follow those who are
truly powerful out of respect and with a sense of loyalty. People follow
those who impose power out of fear.
The fact is that strong leadership is a product of one providing an
attractive example. One can also develop leadership by becoming an
effective teacher. We are natural attracted to those who provide an
example of compassionate power and those who are effective teachers.
Finally, I don't know that I can truly "control" anyone. Sure, someone
might go along with me out of fear or comfort at the time. But if I truly
want to lead, I must first be an example. If I'm teaching power, people
must perceive me as powerful and worthy of their loyalty.
If you're interested in developing this idea further, check out our
leadership and teaching modules in the Seminars
section.
This is a great place to start!
I often say I don't preach from the mountain, but I preach from hell!
While I am thankful for my life an opportunities, I have also been in
severe positions of poverty financially, spiritually and emotionally.
I have been the disgruntled employee. I have lived in a trailer during
a Maine winter putting oil in the tank 5 gallons at a time. I've felt
desperation to the degree that I considered taking my own life. I've had
times when I thought I was completely alone and that nobody cared about me
at all.
In these times I felt true weakness.
In martial arts we say that every disaster is an opportunity!
There is always opportunity, help and power around us. We see this
abundance in our darkest hours; however, we tend to look at this abundance
and say "Why me?"
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
The first step toward personal power is to ask "Why NOT me?"
Once we take that first step, little by little we open ourselves to
resources and opportunities we never recognized before. I won't lie; this
is often hard work! We must look for mentors who will support us with
encouragement and wisdom. We must turn away from those who feed their own
sense of comfort by wanting us to stay at the bottom with them.
Right now, today, as I write these articles for my web site and prepare
to release my Dynamic Components of Personal Power book I face a great
deal of challenges. For one, it's expensive to get this message out!
However, because of the experiences I've had and the process I now
understand, I am confident of success! Besides, I know if I fail I'll
learn something valuable and move along to the next opportunity!
The only true failure is in self-defeat.
Even if your "Personal Power Meter" is at a dead-cold stand still,
you've already taken this first step. You're reading this article! Now
move along to the next step and start associating with people who are
developing personal power.
Come to a Dynamic Components event and I guarantee you'll meet at least
one!
First of all, you can't meet that many people in your life! Keep
getting out and you'll find someone who will encourage you. In my darkest
times I have found people who encouraged me and pointed me toward power.
Of course, I had to get out of my cave to meet these people!
If your immediate circle of friends and even family are that
negative...DUMP 'EM!
That may sound harsh, but I believe this with all my heart! Of course
there are some people we will want to maintain contact with, but as you
develop personal power you'll begin to control the conditions for this
contact.
I have dear friends who are severe pessimists when it comes to
business. They are not risk takers and they will do everything they can do
to discourage me. First of all, I realize that in most cases this
discouragement is well intended. They don't want to see me fail.
I know I can't succeed without the possibility of failure! Complacency
is not success.
When I'm with these friends, I avoid talking about business. I control
the contact by making sure we're busy! With these friends I might go to a
football game or a party where we're not stuck with each other. Maybe,
little by little the conversation will open up to what I can offer. Maybe
I can help point out some success in my friend's life that changes his
perspective.
This problem is multiplied with a spouse or family member.
Stay positive and in most cases, the other person will eventually
become more positive as well. If you buy into the other person's misery,
your misery is multiplied!
And of course, bring these negative people in your life to a Dynamic
Components of Personal Power event!
