Personal leadership is about taking the statement you need to take care of yourself before you take care of anybody else and putting it into action. This is a statement which is easier said than done. You may have the biggest heart in the world with the goal of making positive contributions in the world around you. However, this is difficult to do when all of your energy has an outward focus. It is essential to lead by example which starts with personal leadership.
Those individuals who possess personal leadership abilities understand the significance of balance. You may excel in one area of your life at the expense of others. For example, you could be a workaholic who is a high performer in this realm. If this is the case, you may be putting energy towards your work at the expense of family or spiritual growth.
Personal leadership demands that you are attentive to the different dimensions of your life so you can lead by example. You want to be seen as a role model. A resource for those you are attempting to influence.
3 Actions You Can Take to Develop Your Personal Leadership
When it comes to personal leadership be aware that your outlook and perspective is key to believing in yourself. Know that you have the power to make wise decisions. Understand that one small choice can alter your future. A 1-degree change over the course of time can lead to a vast difference and result. Having a positive attitude and perspective about personal leadership and making decisions that are in your best interest is your first step toward strong personal leadership skills. Having positive beliefs and expectations about what will result when you make choices in your own best interest and setting intentions for positive outcomes are all part of having a positive mindset about personal leadership. If you are striving to make a positive impact on yourself and your environment know that it takes time. Big results take time. Enjoy the journey in your life. Be present at the moment. Occasionally, make time for yourself. Recharge your batteries. Think about the period before you took your last vacation. This time was filled with the hustle and bustle, and you attempt to complete various tasks. The time you make before your personal time is often the most productive. Appreciate downtime. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time around. Choose your support system wisely. If you find that you want to do better in an area in life select those people who excel in those areas. Take the time to learn how they are so good. If you ask, they may not be able to tell you as they find that area easy and things just come to them. They may have never been forced to take the time to understand why they do so well. Set goals for yourself. Goals can be a valuable component of personal leadership. I recommend setting smart goals. The letter S signifies the importance of goals that are specific. Goals need to be measurable so you can determine your progress. Although goals should make you stretch and work, they should be within reach or attainable. Goals should be also relevant and relate to what it is you envision for your future. Finally, set a time stamp on your goal and identify when you want to accomplish your task. Together these elements of goals will help you be successful in your personal leadership. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-SvuFIQjK8
Personal Leadership Activity
Here is an activity that will help you gauge your level of personal leadership. Your answer to the following questions or statements should come on a 1-3 scale with three serving as the highest. Answer each question truthfully. If you are debating how to answer a question go with your gut instinct.
| I know what I want and can develop a plan to be successful. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I am deliberate in forming action plans. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I don’t get distracted easily. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I strive to do my best at all times. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I handle change well. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I am aware of my personal strengths. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I can use my skills to my advantage. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I am content or happy with my life. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I manage my stress level well. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I find value in each day. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I feel a sense of balance in my life. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I continually work on my personal goals. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I feel supported by others. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I value personal development. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I see problems as opportunities to excel. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I feel confident that I can provide solutions to problems. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Each day I feel refreshed and tackle each day’s problems. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I understand my values, and I am not afraid to take a stand. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I believe I am successful. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| I put my best foot forward daily, and I am the best version of me. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Totals | |||
| Overall Score | |||
Meanings of Your Personal Leadership Score
Score 20-33 Your personal leadership ability can improve. You may discover that you are just working on developing your own personal leadership style. Rest assured you have the capability and the know-how to enhance your abilities. You may find that you are outwardly focused and not taking enough time for your own personal development. However, understand that you are now aware of your potential to develop your own personal leadership style. Be proud of those items that you rank number three. Now, consider the goals you have set for yourself. Examine those items on the list that you rank either two or one. These are all opportunities for you to excel. Develop a strategic plan to advance yourself. Come back and read additional blog posts on personal development and you will soon discover your newfound abilities. Score 34 – 47 You are well on your way to becoming great at personal leadership. However, you still have room for improvement. With time you will be able to accomplish all of your personal goals. You likely scored your self a rank of two or three on many of the above items. This illustrates that you can become a leader in your own personal life. Understand that you could still become a better version of yourself. Consider the areas in your life where you have found success. Believe in yourself. Focusing on scores ranking too and below offer you the ability to enhance your own well-being. Score 48 – 60 You have demonstrated to yourself that you have what it takes for personal leadership. You are deliberate, thoughtful, and develop an organizational strategy to achieve your goals. However, don’t just sit back and relax. Continue to find ways to develop your abilities. Those of you who are scoring at this level may discover that you are better at personal leadership than most of your peers. Those individuals who excel in personal leadership can be successful in other areas of your life as well both professionally and personally.
Personal Leadership Conclusion
To excel in personal leadership is essential to have an understanding of yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses. When you know yourself, it is easier to become confident in who you are as a person. Surround yourself with people you find and think of as successful. This will help you build a support network that you can rely upon in the future. Continue to set smart goals for yourself to help you become who you desire. Break these goals up into smaller chunks. Take one day at a time. You will find that you can be successful. Finally, monitor your progress. Use the above tool regularly to identify your progression. Feel free to share your story and version of what you think it takes to become excellent at personal leadership in the comments below.
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