7 Traits Of Powerful People

7 Traits Of Powerful People
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Before we begin looking at what makes a powerful person powerful, I want to define just what type of power I'm speaking of: personal power.

Personal power never shows up as power "over" other people, it shows up as power "with" other people.

And here is the best thing about personal power -- it is not attached to a title, or a thing (like financial prosperity, a big salary, or a promotion), so once you've developed your own sense of personal power you won't lose it because it didn't come with the job or the title or a big financial windfall.

Although it may seem to be a superpower, you don't have to be a superhero to experience it.

Your personal power is found within you and developed by you. So, although powerful people may create what they want in an almost superhero sort of way, any of us can own the same kind of personal power if we are willing to do what it takes to develop it.

If you're desiring to become a megalomaniac and take control of the planet, this article isn't going to help you. However, if you want to tap into your own innate power and use it to make the world a better place, these ideas will definitely help you move in that direction.

1. Powerful people are always learning.
Showing up with an attitude of "I already know this" is not the attitude of personal power. You will completely take yourself out of the learning space with this one idea. Powerful people know that they can always learn something new, in any situation, with any people, from anyone. In fact, the most powerful people understand that each person we meet is our student as well as our teacher. The mark of a Master is that he can learn from his student.

2. Powerful people consider how their plans affect everyone concerned. People that know their own power also know that every decision they make will not only affect them, but everyone they are connected to -- and they've learned how to create a plan that will not only be of benefit to them, but it will benefit everyone else involved too. They excel at recognizing a win-win situation, and they are skillful at creating win-win opportunities.

3. Powerful people know what their strengths are and they are willing to share them freely. One of my favorite spiritual teachers, the late Florence Scovel Shinn, wrote "there is no competition on the spiritual plane." Powerful people know that they don't need to worry about "competition"... because mainly, well... there isn't any. They know that there is only one of them, and that their own talents and gifts are unique. They also recognize that collaboration is far more powerful than competition or even cooperation.

4. Powerful people know how to tap into their "Inner Winner." They recognize times when they've had success and they remember to tap into that energy again and again. They build community with other powerful people automatically because their ability to tap into that winning energy is like a magnet that attracts others with the same winning capacity. If you want to tap into this immediately just remember one time when you knew your stuff. It doesn't have to be rocket science. If you've ever taught a 6 year old how to make a PBJ you've already experienced this. You are an authority about something.

5. Powerful people live in a state of gratitude. They have developed their "abundance radar" -- actively seeking and noticing the areas in which they are abundant. Powerful people have learned to focus on what's working, on what's going right, on the goodness they've experienced. They are masters at finding evidence of what they want to create again and again until creating empowering situations and experiences is the easiest and most natural thing in the world for them. In fact, when you are this powered up, the abundance happens automatically. You become an automatic abundance attractor.

6. Powerful people practice active integrity. Very simply, they do what they say they're going to do. This doesn't have to be difficult. Just do what you say you're going to do. The bonus of this active integrity is that you automatically become more trustworthy, and when you are trustworthy, you attract other people who you can trust. This builds strong relationships, and that is a bonus win-win for building personal power. And when powerful people trip up here they promptly do their best to make it right. Everyone makes mistakes, powerful people correct their mistakes to the best of their ability.

7. Powerful people are willing to have a difficult conversation. They choose to be comfortable with vulnerability, they can admit to what's going on in their emotional and mental space. They can identify and ask for what they need. They can identify where they've fallen short and admit to it. No one likes a difficult conversation but a powerful person doesn't avoid them. Avoidance is the number one symptom of victim mentality, and when we are living with a victimhood mentality we are nothing if not powerless.

In a nutshell:

  • Be open to learning something new, especially if you seem to be a situation where you already know it all.
  • Be on the lookout for win-win situations, they are easier to spot than you may realize.
  • Recognize your unique strengths, no one does it like you do!
  • Remember a big win (or even a small one!) and tap into that energy.
  • Be grateful for the abundance all around you, take the time to find evidence of it.
  • Do what you say your going to do, and course correct if you've missed the mark here.
  • Be big enough to engage in difficult conversations when they arise.

Personal power is a choice, and you can easily start building your personal power today.

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