Self-leadership, self-awareness, and self-empowerment are 3 cornerstones of a happy and fulfilling life and career. The three qualities are intertwined and are essential for personal and professional happiness and success. 

Self-leadership refers to the ability to take charge of one's life and make decisions that align with one's values and purpose. Self-awareness involves understanding one's strengths, weaknesses, reactions and emotions. Self-empowerment refers to the ability to take control of one's life instead of letting someone, or something, else control it.  

Let's have a look at what these 3 cornerstones can mean for you and me. 

Self-Leadership

Self-leadership reminds us that we are all leaders of our own lives. We stop being victims of things outside our control when we realise that we have a choice and an ability to consciously respond  to whatever happens to us. When we take responsibility for our own emotions, reactions, actions and decisions, and make deliberate choices aligned with our values and purpose, we are better equipped to handle whatever challenges and obstacles that may come our way. When we realise that we are active players and leaders of our own lives, life gets more fun, exciting and less scary. Practicing self-leadership means to take ownership and responsibility of our own lives. And if we don't, who will? 

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is our ability to recognize our own strengths, weaknesses, and emotions. To understand why we react the way we do, what triggers us in certain ways, and how these trigger- reactions show up in the way we behave. Self-awareness is a key-quality to lead ourselves, build healthy relationships, and have the ability to understand and empathise with others (and ourselves). When we are self-aware, we recognise which situations (and people) that energises us, makes us  happy and help us grow, and which situations that do the opposite. Self-awareness helps us make more conscious choices on where to spend our time and energy, and where not to.

Self-Empowerment

Self-empowerment is about trusting ourselves, believing in our own abilities, giving ourselves permission to make the choices we feel are right for us, and choosing away what isn't. It's about self-love and self-respect, to dare to be who we are, and not looking for anyone else's approval or acknowledgement. When we stop caring so much what other people think, when we stop looking for confirmations from the outside world, and instead give it to ourselves, we own our own power. The most powerful way to live our lives is to live life on our own terms. 

We have this one life. And it's up to us to make the best of it.

With self-leadership, self-awareness, and self-empowerment you have what it takes. Now, go out and LIVE it.