“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Lord Action
Only history will prove if we are at a point in time right now where absolute power is absolutely corrupting.
Unable to divine what is fact, fiction or fake, on so many high-consequence matters, many would be forgiven for believing that we are at that point, total domination of corrupt power.
However, it is always a matter of degree, and always a very personal viewpoint.
Instead of taking sides and presenting an argument on what is right or wrong today, let me share some thoughts if you are feeling disempowered at the moment, for whatever reason, and to any extent.
Powerful Attitudes
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Viktor Frankl
Yet many by default give away their mind to the influence of others. Hijacked by the media, the messages, the narrative. Power is more often given away than taken away.
Frankl went on to say, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.”
Awareness of the Powerful
Referring back to my article last week, The Eighth Principle of Persuasion, if you’re feeling disempowered—wise up. Look and think critically about what is going on around you. Verify who and what you can rely upon, what you can believe and trust. Roll your sleeves up and get to work peeling back the layers.
Unless you know what is happening, or can take a confident position on what you think is happening, all action you take will be based on guesswork. And in particular, you need to always have the Five Vital Questions for Today at the top of your mind always.
In exactly the same way as you have to know your political adversaries real agenda, the more awareness you have of the agendas of the powerful, and their strategies, the more accurate your action will be.
Emotions for Empowerment
Negative emotions depress mind, body and those around you. They cloud judgment, add confusion and chaos, and remove the ability to make clear decisions.
Positive emotions lift the spirits, enhance creativity and boost those around you. Even in difficult circumstances, if you can cultivate positive emotions you will be more resourceful and more able to react constructively to what is happening around you.
No, that does not mean you will be able to control everything and lift yourself out of powerlessness, but you will be much more likely to be able to make good progress in a bad situation.
Neither does it, nor should it, necessitate ignorance of reality. This must never be blissful ignorance, but mindful, alert and yet highly optimistic that you will find a way through all of this.
Without doubt, you have to be in control of your own emotions, and never Allowing Other to Play with Your Emotions.
Making Powerful Decisions
Do you remember my article, Don’t Fret It, Fix It or Forget It?
Try to restrict your mental energy to matters that have the greatest potential consequence for you (and yours). You cannot fix everything, and you cannot worry about everything. Be selective about what you invest your energy into, and put everything else to one side, at least for now.
Keep a watchful eye on all these other things, but don’t get distracted from the work you really need to be doing right now. As with risk management, remaining alert to emerging risks is prudent. Ignoring risks that have little impact and low likelihood is also prudent.
Taking Action
Powerful people, empowered people, take action. As you make your decisions, get moving, and get moving fast. Keep a watchful eye to change course as the world around you changes, but never stop moving forward towards your destination, whatever and wherever that may be.
Even if you are not quite decided, start moving. As you move, you will learn and clarity will come.
Your Support Network
No man is an island, we were not build to be isolated.
Consequently, make sure to surround yourself with this who nourish you, think like you and can join with you in a mutually beneficial journey towards a different future.
My article Be Careful Who You Let In is even more important today than 3 months ago when I wrote it. Make this a top priority so that you remain in tip-top condition spiritually, mentally, physically and socially.
Hope
“We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
Never, ever, give up hope.
The Gautrey Influence Blog
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