The following ‘dimensions
of personal empowerment’ are based on the belief that the greater the range of
coping responses an individual develops, the greater their chance of coping
effectively with diverse life situations.
These dimensions are:
Self-Awareness
Self-awareness involves
understanding our individual character and how we are likely to respond to
situations.
This
enables us to build on our positive qualities and be aware of any negative
traits which may reduce our effectiveness. Self-aware people make
conscious decisions to enhance their lives whenever possible, learning from
past experiences.
Values
Values
are opinions or beliefs that are important to us but of which we are not always
aware.
They
can be any kind of belief or perceived obligation, anything we prefer and for
any reason. The reasons we may prefer one thing over another, or choose
one course of action over another, may not always be obvious or known; there
may be no apparent reason for our values. Nevertheless our values are
important to us as individuals. In order to be self-aware it is necessary
to be aware of our values, to critically examine them and to accept that our
values may be different from those of others.
Skills
An
individual's skills are the main resource which enables them to achieve their
desired goals.
Skills
can be gained through experience, practice, education and training. It is
only by developing such skills that individual values can be translated into
action.
Information
Knowledge
or information is necessary in the development of self-awareness and skills.
Knowing
where to find appropriate information is in itself an essential
skill. Without information, the choices open to people are limited, both
in their personal and working lives. The internet has provided an easy way
for everybody to access huge amounts of information very quickly and
easily. The problem is then centered around the quality of the
information found, and the skill set is concerned with finding accurate and
reliable information.
Goals
Setting
goals is a means by which an individual can take charge of their life.
The
process of setting a goal involves people thinking about their values and the
direction that they would like their lives to follow. Choices are made
through reflection followed by action. Goals should always be both
specific and realistic. Setting personal goals gives us a sense of direction in
life, this direction is essential to personal empowerment.
Note 2 Self:
Trust can be broken very quickly and may never be restored to its former level. Think about the points above and try to build and maintain trusting relationships in both your personal and professional life.
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