People Power: Increase your personal power by challenging your perception of reality and shifting your paradigm – March 2025

By Sam Allman

For those new to reading this column, “people power” refers to an individual’s ability to achieve results personally or through others. This power is rooted in one’s character and personal strengths. This form of power is granted by others due to the honor and esteem they bestow upon an individual, stemming from their personal attributes. This is unlike positional power, which is derived from one’s role or title. Essentially, “people power” is the ability to either mobilize oneself or others to take action to achieve results directly or indirectly.

In this context, “people power” embodies the pursuit of flourishing over survival; embracing joy alongside achievement; fostering dreams rather than mere acceptance; and engaging in continuous growth and learning beyond mere existence. It’s about striving to reach one’s full potential and crafting a successful, purposeful and enjoyable journey of life. As journalist Christopher Morley aptly stated, “There is only one success-to be able to spend your life in your own way.” Similarly, author Peter McWilliams emphasized personal autonomy: “Go your own way. Live your own life. If some walk with you, fine.” These perspectives highlight that true success is about living authentically, aligning your life with your personal values and desires, and creating the results that accompany those: joy, fulfillment, influence, personal growth and, ultimately, personal power.

For over 60 years, I have studied what hundreds of experts have said about what it takes to flourish and reach one’s potential. My curiosity about what it takes to succeed has been a blessing. The principles have motivated me to keep going and trying after my failures. There were many. I am a slow learner and an even slower implementer. Many times, I knew what to do but didn’t do it. My ego, my pride and my laziness got in the way. “To know and not to do is really not to know,” said Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

EVERYONE HAS PERSONAL POWER
The benefits of mastering this personal power are enormous. Throughout my professional journey and into retirement, I’ve encountered countless individuals from a vast array of global cultures. I have observed that this kind of “people power” is accessible to everyone, regardless of wealth, status or intellectual ability. Even in impoverished and developing nations, many harness this power, often unconsciously. Life has shown them what works and what doesn’t, and they have paid attention.

The very foundation of this power is captured in a quote attributed to philosopher William James: “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.” This emphasizes the power of the mind in changing the way we think about our circumstances. It can transform our experiences and outcomes in life. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, emphasized the profound impact of our minds, asserting that we have the power to determine our responses and attitudes. His perspective underscores the significance of personal responsibility and the role of our thoughts in shaping our experiences.

How and what you think matters. Your thoughts shape your reality, influencing your decisions, emotions and actions. Your thinking allows you to acquire the tools to reshape mental and emotional wellbeing, fostering resilience and positive change, giving you the power to transform your narrative. Your narrative can either empower you or hold you back, determining the level of control you have over your life. We hold the pen to that narrative, transforming pain into growth and adversity into opportunity. This mindset not only empowers us to face life’s challenges but also enriches our capacity for empathy, wisdom and gratitude.

At the heart of this power lies your personal paradigm. It’s the mental framework that filters how you perceive and interpret the world, influencing not only your thoughts but also your decisions and behavior. When left unchecked, your thoughts and paradigm can confine you to a narrow perspective, keeping you stuck in limiting beliefs. However, by consciously recognizing and directing your thoughts while expanding your paradigm, you unlock greater personal power. By increasing self-awareness, shifting mental patterns and embracing new perspectives, you can strengthen your ability to navigate life with confidence, resilience and influence, thereby increasing your personal power to get the results you desire. The good news is that, in most situations, you have the ability to direct your thinking and choose where to place your focus.

However, there are times when we remain unaware of our own mental activity. Our minds are always at work, constantly generating thoughts whether or not we pay attention. This ongoing inner dialogue, often called mental chatter, follows us like a shadow, present in every moment. You can take charge of it or allow it to run unchecked. As the poet Horace wisely said, “Rule your mind, or it will rule you.” Those times when we are not paying attention, our thoughts can be damaging, self-defeating and sabotaging to our personal paradigms. I am reminded of times I missed a free throw playing basketball or hit a golf ball into a lake, commenting, “I knew I was going to do that.” Apparently, my thoughts created a self-fulfilling prophecy.

That lack of awareness brings to mind two quotes, one often attributed to John Wayne, “Life is hard, but if you’re stupid, it’s harder.” However, Martin Luther King Jr. expressed the idea more powerfully, “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

THREE STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE YOUR PERSONAL POWER
Always Seek the Truth: Why is it that two people can witness the same event yet recall it differently? How can my spouse and I disagree on what happened, even when we were both there? The answer lies in perception-each of us views reality through the lens of our own experiences, beliefs and biases, through our personal paradigms, which are subjective.

As writer Anaïs Nin is credited with saying, “We don’t see the world as it is; we see it as we are.” This is why we should remain skeptical of even our own perceptions. Overconfidence in our version of reality can lead to what might be called the “disease of being right,” fostering closed-mindedness, ignorance and self-deception.

Dr. M. Scott Peck argues in his book The Road Less Traveled that a deep commitment to truth is one of the most powerful mental habits you can develop. Commitment to reality, or an unwavering pursuit of truth, gives you clarity, strength and control over your life. When you see things as they truly are, rather than how you wish they were, you make better decisions, solve problems effectively and avoid self-deception.

Reframe Destructive Thoughts: In my last column, I discussed how reframing or reinterpreting your times of pain and suffering significantly impacts your healing and can change your perception of them. Viewing suffering as a stepping stone to growth rather than a negative event allows you to reclaim your power and find meaning in adversity. The act of reframing can also protect you from self-defeating behaviors. It is about changing how you interpret a specific thought or situation (like suffering) and allowing you to control the narrative. Like adjusting the lens on a camera, you shift your focus to see a situation in a more constructive or empowering way. “What we see depends mainly on what we look for,” said anthropologist John Lubbock. The goal is to create a more positive, useful or realistic way of thinking about specific experiences.

Shift Your Paradigm: A paradigm shift is a profound transformation in how you perceive the world, yourself and life as a whole. It’s like transitioning from viewing the world through a keyhole to stepping outside and seeing the full landscape. It alters everything. It’s also like switching from a black-and-white TV to full color; it changes how you perceive and process everything. While reframing helps you adjust specific thoughts, a paradigm shift reshapes your entire belief system, creating lasting and foundational change.

To initiate a paradigm shift, deep self-awareness and a willingness to challenge long-held beliefs are essential. Continuous reframing of thoughts in specific situations eventually forms habits, and, over time, those habits shape your paradigm. When this happens, your entire mindset and approach to life evolve, making you more resilient and adaptable. The first step in shifting a paradigm is identifying limiting beliefs-often the most difficult step, as we tend to see the world not as it is but as we are. Reading diverse books, listening to contrasting viewpoints and engaging in discussions with people who think differently all contribute to this process.

History provides powerful examples of paradigm shifts. Abraham Lincoln, for instance, transitioned from viewing his opponents as adversaries to seeing them as necessary allies. Instead of surrounding himself with “yes men,” he formed a “team of rivals,” as historian Doris Kearns Goodwin coined it, appointing political opponents such as William Seward to his cabinet. This shift from division to unity allowed him to lead effectively during the Civil War, strengthening his leadership and influence.

Similarly, Nelson Mandela underwent a transformative paradigm shift from anger to strategic forgiveness. After spending 27 years in prison, he had every reason to seek revenge. Instead, he chose to see his former oppressors as future partners, using reconciliation as a tool for unity. This radical shift enabled him to guide South Africa peacefully from apartheid to democracy, earning global respect and solidifying his legacy.

Other paradigm shifts include moving from a scarcity mentality to an abundance mindset, recognizing that failure is not permanent but temporary and situational, and transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Seeing opposition as a source of strength rather than conflict increases one’s influence and effectiveness in leadership and life.

Developing the ability to see from others’ perspectives is a transformative skill that fosters empathy, understanding and growth. Engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and worldviews strengthens this ability, making paradigm shifts more attainable and impactful.

Life is a journey filled with both triumphs and challenges. Often, setbacks and painful experiences shape us as much as, if not more than, our successes. However, how we choose to perceive and respond to these experiences determines their impact. By mastering reframing and paradigm shifting, we can turn even the most difficult moments into opportunities for growth, self-discovery and resilience. Through a commitment to truth, a willingness to challenge limiting beliefs, and the cultivation of empowering habits, you can unlock your full potential and strengthen your personal power.

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