5 Strategies for Increased Personal Agency & Empowerment
Leading experts provide the how-to on taking control of our lives & navigating our reality for long-term success.
The ability to take control of one’s life, make effective decisions that uplift us & those around us, and to navigate our daily obstacles has become more important than ever before. Developing personal agency—the capacity to act independently and make things happen—is a key factor in achieving long-term success & fulfilment.
Let’s explore strategies and techniques for cultivating personal agency and creating a life on your own terms. Drawing from the brilliant insights of three leading experts Dr. Paul Napper & Anthony Rao Ph.D. from ‘The Power of Agency’, and Marie Forleo from ‘Everything Is Figureoutable’. 2 amazing books. Must reads. Let’s go.
Understanding personal agency
Personal agency is the belief in one's ability to influence outcomes and shape one's own destiny. So… it’s important! See where it all starts : BELIEF. It starts in the mind of the beholder. This is the core of the formula.
It then includes making choices aligned with our values & goals, taking responsibility for our actions, and persevering in the face of challenges.
So there’s the full formula :
Beliefs + Values + Goals = Aligned Choices x (Responsibility + Perseverance)
So right there in the formula, we see our superpower is aligned choice. It sits in this potent strategic sandwich, between belief & responsibility. This is a profoundly simple & incredibly impactful formula for heart-centered, purpose-driven decision-making. (3 hyphens in a row. Thats awesome. ;-) Then we learn from the choices, which influences our beliefs, and around & around we go… leveling up!
Napper & Rao identify seven principles for developing personal agency, including control, competence, and purpose, while Forleo emphasises the power of mindset and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles. Both are incredibly solid, so here’s a great combo incorporating the best of both.
Practical strategies for developing personal agency:
Embrace what you can control: Agency begins with recognising what is within our control and taking ownership of our decisions & actions. Drop the rest. No focus outside that realm. Boundary setting can be practiced here, along with saying no to commitments that don't align, and delegating tasks as necessary to get things done with quality. By focusing on what you can control, you empower yourself to make meaningful changes in your life as you go.
Cultivating competence: Developing skills and expertise in areas relevant to your goals is essential for building confidence & agency. Taking proactive steps to enhance your knowledge and abilities through continuous learning, practice, and seeking constructive feedback is key. By breaking down complex tasks into manageable chunks, and celebrating your progress along the way, you increase the happy chemicals in the body and want to achieve even more because it feels good to overcome challenges.
Clarify your purpose: Having a clear sense of purpose provides direction and motivation in the pursuit of goals. Reflecting on your values, passions, and aspirations, can support you to define what truly matters to you. Feeling into what you want and asking : Is this what I really want? If it feels good, then aim at it. Set meaningful goals that align with your purpose and create a roadmap for achieving them. Bingo. Forleo mom told her : everything is figureoutable. That’s 100% true when rooted in a sense of purpose and commitment. So root your actions in purpose. This is uses a strategic, long-term vision for growth.
Develop resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and adversity, a crucial part of developing personal agency. The key is to see how fast you can bounce back. Everyone’s going to fall on their butt, its part of the process. Release judgement, track the data, note what needs work and get back on that horse. Using this growth mindset, you views challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. You just learned. There is no fail. There is Winning & Learning. That’s it. Up you go! This practices self-compassion & positive self-talk in the moment, throughout the process, to increase self-worth. Key!
Harness resourcefulness: Resourcefulness is the ability to find creative solutions to problems and make the most of available resources. Use what you have to solve what’s in front of you. Energetically speaking, nkow that the problem and solution come in at the same time. So simply tune into / focus on the solution and you will be able to move through it all faster. Say to yourself “I got this” with POWER, ENERGY, INTENSITY. Know it in the moment. “I GOT THIS!” Universally speaking, you’re the only one that can solve it, that’s why it was given to you. So embrace your resourcefulness and focus to solve it. You got this. ;-) Be curious and adaptable. Draw on your strengths, seek out other perspectives when needed as well. No worries, again, YOU GOT THIS.
In-closing
Developing personal agency is a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and growth. It’s not going to be easy, there’s going to be obstacles, challenges and you’re going to get knocked down. That’s to be expected. Seriously. So focus on solutions, getting back up quickly. Make choices from your purpose, focus on what you can control and you will be conquering obstacles, making effective decisions, and create a life on your own terms. Freedom awaits when you focus within.
Are you ready to harness the power of your agency with these amazing mindsets and transform your life for the better? Take the first step today & let us know how it goes!
#resilience #purpose #levelup #resourceful #masterymindstate