Empowerment is the ability to personally make a difference.  It requires
  • Clear focus - clarity of purpose and being - put another way; knowing who you are, what you stand for and how you want to be,
  • Congruence - aligning your idealised and realised self,
  • Conviction - a belief in yourself and what you stand for, and 
  • Courage - doing what frightens you.
"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear."
Rosa Parks

We do not have just one purpose in life - we have a purposeful life.  However, many people reach the end of theirs and wonder what difference they really made.  What stops us from making a difference?  What stops people from leaving the job they hate, that's killing them, making them unhappy, where they are under-valued?  Fear. What stops them from making decisions quickly, just doing it, getting on with it?  Fear.  What stops managers from allowing their staff to use their initiative, express their unique strengths and stand out?  Fear. 

I even believe the underlying cause of procrastination is actually fear.  When we find our selves paralyzed with indecision or finding a whole lot of 'nothing' else to do, it can be tracked to an unconscious fear that we hold - a fear of being wrong.  Now, sometimes being wrong can be catastrophic.  But in most cases, it isn't.  In fact in most cases there is no right or wrong! 

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. I felt fear myself more times than I can remember, but I hid it behind a mask of boldness. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
Nelson Mandela

Think about this coming year.  What would you do if you weren't afraid? What difference could you make?

If you'd like to try my free Courage Diagnostic, and see how courageous you are at the moment, click here.

Have a wonderful, exciting and joyful Christmas and New Year.
  
 
Empower yourself with horses
Are you getting everything you want out of life?  Do you wonder what difference you make? Do you want to understand what's holding you back?  
Get a taste of this powerful self-development program combining the philosophies of Louise Hay with Equine Guided Education.

11 January 2013
10:30am -3:30pm
Aireys Inlet 

Event Phone: 0408 468 496
Nurse Leadership Development Program
To all nurses aspiring to become high impact managers. Action based and highly interactive, participants develop strategies and skills to manage their everyday operations, budgets, people issues and current organisation change projects. 
5 day program over 4 months starts 5 February 2014.
9:30-4:30

Kings Way, South Melbourne
Event Phone: (03) 9861 4000
Person Centred Aged Care Workshop
For aged care teams keen to create cultures, processes and practices that foster 'Consumer Directed Care'.  For a one day program at your place contact me.  Click here for more information.

Follow-up Links
elisesullivan.com personcentredagedcare.com