There are several definitions of personal power but the one I have chosen is the one from Psychology Today. Personal power (positive power) is based on strength, confidence, and competence that individuals gradually acquire in the course of their development. It is self-assertion, and a natural, healthy striving for love, satisfaction, and meaning in one’s interpersonal world.

There are two other types of power according to The Ethics of Interpersonal Relationships 2009, which are covert negative power and overt negative power. Very, very, interesting. I will let you read about that as I link it here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-human-experience/200904/personal-power

I like to think of an interpersonal world as more within and then expanding into the interactions of self (like thoughts and perspectives, emotions and feelings), others, and situations that involve me personally. When you take your personal power and exert it onto your goals and dreams, use it to interact or influence others and situations it can be healthy as the definition explains. You can use your personal power to influence the outcome of events. When this becomes a negative influence, it’s no longer personal or positive power. It is either covert or overt negative power.

If you have confidence, strength, self-assertion, self-awareness, charisma, experience and expertise, and accumulated wisdom, these attributes can foster your personal positive power. I believe there are other things that contribute to your personal power and one of those things is your spirituality. You use these things to move yourself forward and to influence the world around you. You use your personal power to work with others and interact with others. Your interpersonal world. It can be any size. Think of it as an attitude or state of mind. It can be developed within you.

Personal power not only helps you to achieve goals, it also helps you in your personal relationships with others. It even affects how you interact with people at the grocery store or restaurant. Anywhere you are, your personal power is. It is about empowering yourself and others. It is not about manipulation or control. That is when it begins to be either covert negative power or overt negative power.

What will you do with personal positive power? You’ve had this super power all along. Did you know it?

~Nikki #atozchallege2024