Maximizing Your Personal Power
The First Step and Its Components by Karen E. Pfeffer
power? The capacity to take action to produce the results you want. So what do you want? The first step to getting what you want is to commit. Choose a desired outcome / decide what you want: You need to decide what it is that you want. Know your out- come and commit yourself to that outcome ?no matter what - until you reach your goal. Decide if you want an outcome tied to your health, finances, relationship or something else. Be clear, as clarity is power. Once you have committed and de-
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cided on your outcome, the following com- ponents must be a part of your formula or you will be disappointed with the results. To illustrate, I will use a popular outcome/goal: losing weight. Outcome must be stated in the positive: What is it that you DO want? Amazingly, when I assist people with their outcomes and ask what they want, they often reply with a negative statement, e.g. “Not to be fat anymore.” To have a success- ful outcome, you must have a positive state- ment, e.g. “To release ten pounds in one month.” And, be sure to ask empowering questions that begin with “how”, “what” and “who” and stay away from negative “why” questions. Go ahead, take the test by saying the following questions and notice how they make you feel: How can I lose weight and enjoy the process? What can I do today to begin my journey in releasing weight? Who can assist me and keep me on track with my resolution to lose weight? Why am I so fat? Just notice that the ques- tions you ask will direct your mind, your thoughts and your actions.
Outcome must be maintainable and
controllable by you: How can you ensure successful end results? By ensuring that you are in charge of your outcome. If losing weight is your outcome, and you choose to hire a personal trainer, is your success dependent on the trainer? No, your success is up to you! You are the one that has to do the work to get the results you want. Outcome must be ecological: Once
ant to maximize your personal power? There are several steps you can take. What is personal
whatever it takes, no matter how many ob- stacles appear, no matter how long it takes? Are you willing to change your approach based on your results... are you really com- mitted? If you have a pattern that you want to break and have not been successful, then I submit to you that it is because you do not believe you can do it. Surely, you have heard the famous quote: “Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right!” Now is the time to notice: Become
you know your outcome and have commit- ted to it, ask yourself if there are any risks involved and, if so, can you achieve your outcome ecologically,? keeping yourself safe and out of reach of harm? For example, is it safe to lose thirty pounds in one week? Probably not, as it would most likely affect your body and deplete you instead of ener- gize you. Is two pounds in one week safe? For most it is. And, all bodies are different so be sure to check the ecology for you. Outcome must be measurable: What,
how much and by when? Be clear on what you want, how much you want, and by when you want it. If you are interested in losing weight, how much do you want to lose, and by when do you want to release it? The clearer you are, the most likely you will reach your outcome. And, write your desired outcome down! According to a study done at Yale University, people that write down their goals are better adjusted emotionally, physically and financially. Outcome must be sensory based:
How does it feel, look, sound, smell and taste? Bring in all five senses and use them to connect with your outcome. Picture it,? feel it,? hear it,? smell it,? taste it. The mind does not know the difference between what is real and vividly imagined, so close your eyes and see yourself in the future having achieved your outcome with all senses! Outcome must be congruent with your beliefs and identity: This is the most im- portant component because if your beliefs and identity are not congruent with your outcome, you will sabotage the very thing you want. Do you believe you can achieve your outcome? Are you are willing to do
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aware of what is working and what is not working in your life, and decide: What you really want to change; when you want to change it. Decide on your outcome and commit! Karen E. Pfeffer was born in Ven- ezuela to a father from Kansas and a mother from Puerto Rico. Karen has a unique cultural mix that has inspired her to challenge stereotypes and “push the envelope” at every opportunity. She is a certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and PSYCH-K®. She is also a certified firewalk instructor, facilitator, keynote presenter, and does one-on-one coaching for those who want to change limiting beliefs and unproduc- tive patterns. Karen is the Co-Founder of Fire Power Seminars, Experiential Trans- formation,
karen@firepowerseminars.com, 954.232.4486.
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