Power is a concept that is usually thought to be given to someone. Power and influence are sometimes thought to be negative by the way they’ve been exercised. Although this is often true, power is neither positive nor negative in and of itself. But what about personal power? Personal power is a type of mental stability that we bring into every situation. It’s the ability to take decisive and deliberate action towards a desired goal.

Personal power is all about living life intentionally, with purpose and optimism. It’s about controlling your boundaries, your critical voice and unhelpful thoughts that tend to set you back. Likewise, it’s about overcoming the habits and beliefs that limit us in life. Influence also ties into personal power, by positively impacting the lives of those around you.

How do you achieve your personal power? Well, according to Forbes Magazine’s “10 Steps To Own Your Personal Power” by Bonnie Marcus, you can achieve your personal power in just 10 steps: “Acknowledge and declare your ambitions.” Sometimes people are timid about sharing their ambitions, but by letting people know what you’re trying to accomplish can be beneficial, as they can help you. “Replace negative self talk with positive affirmations.” Nothing can separate you from your goals as much as negative self-talk. Instead of self-doubt, fill your mind with positive thoughts. “Acknowledge your fears.” Fears, alongside negative thoughts, can sabotage you greatly. Instead of letting your fears take control and paralyze you, realize that letting your fears get the best of you takes away from your greater potential.

People hold the ability to do whatever they want. It’s just up to them to find it within themselves and use it to their benefit. Personal power is more of an attitude and state of mind than an attempt to control others; it’s based on strength, confidence and competence. According to Personal Power by Robert W. Firestone, “there is a clear distinction between positive power, which I refer to as personal power, and negative power, which can take either a covert or overt form.” These types of power people develop over time and the methods they accumulate and utilize to inspire, influence or dominate others can be analyzed by a moral point of view.