By Leland Pulley
Today many people are using the word empowerment just as though it is something new or something that people in past generations did not know about nor utilize. This is simply not true. In every society and generation there have been individuals who rose above their circumstances to make something of themselves. Many have passed up the competition in order to excel in some way compared to others.
In the last few decades empowerment has been associated with social and political movements. One is the civil rights movement and another is the women=s movement. American Indians have sought for more recognition and benefits. The homosexual community wanted to be viewed and treated the same as the heterosexual community. There have been both pros and cons associated with each of these movements. But a movement in and of itself may only give you a greater opportunity to do or accomplish. You may have more of a chance to excel and be successful in life. But opportunities, even favored treatment by the government, does not in the long run produce personal empowerment.
The only way to achieve personal empowerment is for the individual to put forth effort and make good things happen in his life. Personal in this case implies individual. Empowerment implies growth in the individual and constructive changes in his life. This empowerment comes about as the individual puts forth effort and willingly works on a consistent basis to make things happen. Greater self-discipline is developed. The individual learns many new things and develops a variety of skills. There is a change in his values and therefore priorities. Goals are set and achieved. In the process the individual has more success in more endeavors. His self-image goes up because he has done something worthwhile and achieved. He feels better about himself as an individual and the life that he=s leading. In essence, he becomes a stronger and more powerful individual who can withstand adversity and still make progress. He is less subject to popular trends and peer influence. He experiences greater freedom.
Empowerment that will stand the test of time implies positive change within the individual and his life. Such empowerment comes about as the individual puts forth effort in the right ways and in the right areas. This implies being selective. You only can do so much, so you have to choose what is right for you and do it at the right time in your life. There is also the requirement to choose right over wrong or good over evil. All these things require wisdom, which is obtained over a period of time. Also, accepting advice from reliable and good people can save you a lot of problems and help you experience more positive change in your life.
The real proof of personal empowerment is not only how you feel about yourself, but what you can do now compared to last year or five years ago. As you look at the activities, endeavors, and relationships in your life now, can you truly say you are better off today than in the past? If so, these good fruits are the result of consistent utilization of personal empowerment over the previous weeks, months, and years of your life.
Anyone who sets the goal of more personal empowerment in his life and then experiences it, will definitely know that he has achieved something wonderful. If he has achieved it for the right reasons and in the right ways, there will be an actual inclination to look around at others in his immediate environment. What can he do to help them experience more personal empowerment in their lives? There is surely a way for him to help someone or render service. As more people in the community experience greater personal empowerment and reach out to others around them, there will be a transformation in society itself. There will be more human services available to more people and less social problems. People will draw closer together and be happier. Yes, even the taxes we all pay may be lowered or perhaps redirected and spent in more constructive ways.
As a typical individual, you have experienced some degree of personal empowerment. The real question is are you satisfied with who you are and what you have in life? You can become better than you are now and get more out of life. Plant this thought in your mind and let it go to work. Begin to take small steps towards the realization of greater personal empowerment. Surely there is something you can do today that will help you make progress toward this goal. But remember the old expression Ano pain, no gain@. Without definite decisions and effort, nothing is going to change. Over the weeks, months and years, consistent efforts and a patient attitude will lead to the results you seek.
It is easy to become discouraged along the pathway towards greater personal empowerment. Here are some ways to avoid this. Be realistic in the things you seek or the changes you desire. Do you have the time, money and energy to achieve each one? Do not try to do too many things at once. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to accomplish specific objectives. Perhaps you need the help of others in some way. Do not be shy nor embarrassed nor too proud to ask for advice or the assistance you need. Many people will join a support group consisting of individuals seeking a similar goal as themselves. This can be very helpful in motivating you.
Throughout my life I have experienced greater personal empowerment. It began with good experiences in childhood and positive progress through adolescence. Adulthood has been a very interesting and colorful journey for me. There have been ups and downs, success and failure, but overall my personal empowerment curve has been on an upward trend over the decades. I am a more powerful person now than I have ever been in my entire life. I do not say this because of great wealth, prestige, or position. I say it as a common citizen with reasonably good skills and a positive outlook on life itself. Everything I have today I earned along the way through my own efforts and with the help of others like family members, teachers, church members, coworkers, neighbors, role models, and others. The story in my life is the same story that can and should be in the life of others. I challenge you to let it become your story too in a fuller and more meaningful way.
To utilize this article, select one area to empower yourself more fully. It could be a new challenge or merely improving or refining what you are doing now in an activity, endeavor, project, or relationship. Good luck!
Key Words – employment, effort, growth, constructive changes, self-discipline, learns, skills, goals, progress, wisdom, accepting advice, service, discouraged, be realistic, help of others, support group
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