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What do I mean by, “Empowering Others is a Serious Business??”
By admin | July 2, 2008
Well, this week, I mean several things.
We already know that “Personal Growth” and “Self Improvement” are big topics with lots of businesses based on it starting and growing every day.
Just look at Earl Nightengale, Bob Proctor, Jim Rohn, Anthony Robbins, etc., as well as the thousands of books and websites that spring up every day (like 117selfimprovementgifts.com… smile).
The dictionary defines “Empowerment” as, “to give power or authority to…” or “to enable or permit.” I believe that now-adays, colloquially-speaking, we use “empowerment” to also mean “to inspire,” “to give tools to do…,” and…
…“to give the realization that one can do…”
This last definition, according to Jenn Carter’s Dictionary, is the one I want to focus on today, because it’s one that I especially need this week.
As a coach, while I provide tons of tools for my clients, the thing that they probably get the most value from me is the realization that they can do something (and maybe a bit of kick in rear to go do something about it!). That is to say, what separates “The Great” from the “Not So Great”?
Well, first of course is vision.
And then of course, there’s action… informed, planned, strategic and focused action.
As Earl Nightengale says, “Are you the problem or are you the solution?” It’s kind of like Yoda’s, “There is no Try. There’s only Do or Not Do.”
And, somewhere in there there’s also got to be some belief.
So, when there’s a problem, it helps to Empower the person who has the problem with not only the know-how and tools, but also the belief, or re-invigoration of the belief, that someone can and should go forward and do something.
Believe it or not, (and I know, this may be shocking, so if any of you reading this happens to also be one of my clients- brace yourself… ) I get discouraged sometimes and belief in myself can wane at times.
(I know, I know… be still your beating heart… You thought that I was Superwoman, a mighty force of belief and “Can Do!”… A believer and doer of Truth! Justice! And the American Way (and by “American Way” I mean the belief that we can do anything and have that American Dream!)
(And, forgive me here, but another new superhero flick is coming out again this week, so I have superheroes on the brain!).
Well, just like the Almighty Spidey, and Daredevil, Superman and Wonderwoman herself… I have my doubts on some days…
So, how do I get back to belief? Belief in myself, and belief that my actions will lead to results (even when current evidence seems to point to the contrary?).
How do I get back to purposefulness, the knowledge that I make a difference, and that what I do and what I say matters?
How do I Empower Myself once again??
Answer- I have to purposely look for Empowerment, knowing that I’ll find it. It helps to read letters from clients who’ve said something to the effect of, “Thank you! Thank you!… You’ve changed my business and my life”… (I really do have a few of those, and I appreciate more than you know each and every one of you who’s ever written that to me!).
I look for the people who lean towards Empowerment (as opposed to dis-empowerment). These are my favorite authors, speakers, friends, a few family members, and clients. I re-read their material. I listen to their audios. I go to their websites.
I revisit my own successes.
I call someone who I know will say great things about me (and hey, I know that doing this might sound childish, but sometimes you just really need a good fan to pump you up!).
And then, I look to empower others.
Did you catch that I read old testimonials and thank-yous from clients? That’s because, in those letters, they’ve reinforced value in me… and if their words mean that much to me, I wonder how much my sincere, well-timed words of encouragement and empowerment can mean to others…
I wonder who needs encouragement and empowerment more than me?
And once I have the answer to this, I commit to taking action to encourage, empower and uplift at least one other person. Preferably two or three. From the purely self-serving point of view, this always makes me feel better.
From the, “We’re all connected so we should help one-another” point of view, well, it’s just the right thing to do!
So brings us back to my opening statement that, “Empowering Others is a Serious Business.” Just what do I mean by that?
Answer: Empowerment is serious for the following reasons:
* Sometimes, people just really need it. And if you can give it to them, you may never know just how much it helps them in a time of need…
* And, I believe and fully know that, “What goes around comes around.” When you have the attitude and philosophy that you are the kind of person who empowers people, no matter what field you’re in, it will grow and multiply the bounty of both your personal life and your business, no questions asked!
You may need to Empower Yourself before you can Empower Others… but sometimes, just the reverse is true.
And, as you can see by the afore-mentioned “personal growth gurus,” even the niche of Empowering Others really can be a Serious Business!
I leave you with my favorite quote of all time from Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we’re inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we’re powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be Gorgeous, Talented, Fabulous?” Actually, Who Are You Not to Be?! YOU are a child of God! Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Topics: Empower, Personal Growth, Women In Business |
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