First, let’s talk about what Personal Power actually is. Is it your level of success at work? Is it your GPA in college? Is it your ability to win an arm-wrestling match?

Actually, Personal Power is based upon accurate self-knowledge, and a full and balanced self-view. It is a feeling which comes from knowing who you really are, embracing your strengths, and feeling the power that they give you. Everyone has Personal Power, but not everyone knows it. Surprisingly, it is not about the number of strengths that you have; it's more a product of knowing, using and owning the strengths you have.

Follow these Steps For Identifying your Personal Power:

1. Identify your personal strengths in each of the above areas: work, parenting, relationships, personality, intellectual, physical appearance . Here are some examples. Do you have a resonate voice? A good sense of humor? Are you resourceful? Are you a fast runner? Do you learn quickly? Do you catch trends early? Do you set trends? Are you caring? Are you giving? Are you tough? Are you resilient? Do you have good taste? Are you assertive? Kind? Adventurous? Attractive? Energetic? Athletic? Identify and write down as many as you can, even if it takes you several days of thinking.

2. Own those strengths. You may catch glimpses of your strengths at different times. That is not the same thing as owning them. When you catch a glimpse of a personal strength, you feel momentarily pleased with yourself (and possibly a little bit surprised). When you own your strengths, you carry them with you like a bag of tools. You know that you have them and that you can rely upon them. They are yours. They are you.

3. Feel the power. When you know that you have these strengths and you are owning them, you are then able to feel their power. They are real, they are part of you. They are your personal strength that you carry with you through your life. They stay with you in moments of challenge. They can pick you up when you falter. They will motivate you, sustain you and protect you. Feeling this power gives you confidence to take on new challenges. You know that you can trust yourself.

4. Acknowledge your weaknesses too, but in the context of these strengths. See yourself from the big picture, as a mixture of strong and weak (as all humans are). You cannot be reduced to one single weakness or strength. You see each in the context of the others. This prevents you from vulnerability. A realistic, complex self-view makes you stronger. This is an important part of Personal Power.

5. Don’t hide your power. Let others see it. When you own your Personal Power, you carry yourself differently. Other people can see that you are strong and, furthermore that you know that you are strong. They will challenge you less. They will listen to you more. They will see your substance because you are wearing it.

Through this process of identifying, owning, feeling and experiencing your power, you will find a new-found confidence. Personal Power is not a result of self-esteem and self-confidence; it is a source of self-esteem and self-confidence. So when you own your Personal Power, you are building both.