Power: extrinsic or intrinsic?

Power is a term that we throw around a lot.

We believe that only some of us have power while others don’t. We believe that only few people can attain certain levels of power.

Perhaps the latter statement is true, but the former is not.

Often, we associate power with money, status, influence, high-status friends, reputation etc and, sure, you could argue that these are some examples of power.

However, I would distinctly refer to those examples as extrinsic power, or external depictions of power, because they focus on controlling people and situations that are outside of oneself.

The other type of power that we almost never identify or discuss is: intrinsic power.

Intrinsic power is based on your knowledge of self; your understanding your strengths and weaknesses, how you naturally tend to impact your environment and those around you. It’s about resilience, mental toughness and your ability to master your emotions, regardless of external circumstances.

Because our society tends to heavily reward visibility and grandiosity, most people pursue the acquisition of extrinsic power above the cultivation of intrinsic power.

This becomes problematic when we’re faced with the reality that extrinsic power is almost always temporary.

You could have money, status and influence today and it could all be wiped away in the blink of an eye by tomorrow morning.

This can have particularly catastrophic effects when you have obfuscated power and identity.

When you have had many opportunities and doors fly open for you, based on your level of extrinsic power, you become complacent and accustomed to a certain kind of life.

Others may automatically treat you like royalty and go the extra mile to meet your needs when they see that you have money and social influence.

Naturally, you would also begin to view yourself as a person of high value, even if you don’t have much intrinsic power.

So when your extrinsic power deteriorates and you are just left with the person you have chosen to be, it can be a terrifying realisation to come to that your intrinsic power is extremely lacking.

Your excessive focus on extrinsic power has left you not knowing who you are anymore.

You would have never gotten to know who you are without the money, fame and social status.

#identitycrisis maybe? 😬

Don’t get me wrong, extrinsic power is not inherently destructive, but placing the pursuit of it above intrinsic development is a recipe for disaster.

When you first develop intrinsically, by building your character as a strong foundation, you are putting yourself in the best position to responsibly wield the kind of power that really impacts the lives of others.

As well as this, your whole life won’t be destabilised by a loss of temporary extrinsic power.

🧡✨🧡✨🧡

Enjoyed this blog? Click below to read more blogs about:

'POWER'

🧡✨🧡✨🧡