Reclaim Your Power: Stop Depending on Others for Your Future
Take Back Control by Aligning with Your Vision, Not Theirs
“It is simple: depending on others is misery; depending on yourself is power.” — Robert Greene, The Daily Laws
The Cost of Dependence
The traditional work model often demands you exchange your skills and autonomy for a paycheck. Over time, this transactional relationship can tether you to an organization’s vision rather than your own. Layers of management obscure the reality of the organization’s goals, and your livelihood remains at the mercy of forces beyond your control—the decisions of executives, the fluctuations of markets, or sudden strategic shifts. In return for this perceived stability, you risk losing sight of your priorities and aspirations.
The price of this dependence is steep. When you allow an external entity to dictate your direction, you surrender your power. You can be dismissed without notice, leaving you disoriented and questioning your worth. Trusting an organization to prioritize your interests is a gamble that often comes at a personal cost. The solution? Reclaim your agency by aligning your efforts with a vision that is truly your own.
My Story: Losing and Reclaiming Power
My CIO role ended at the end of 2022, and the following months were some of the most challenging of my career. I had placed too much faith in an organization to define my path and secure my success. When that anchor was removed, I felt adrift. It was a challenging but valuable lesson: my dependence on the organization had cost me my agency.
Determined to regain control, I committed to a new venture aligned with my unique skills and personal vision. For the first time, I relied entirely on myself to craft and execute a strategy that reflected my values. It was challenging but also empowering. By focusing on work that resonated deeply with me, I rediscovered my purpose and renewed my conviction in my ability to shape my future. No one could take that away from me.
Daily Inner Quest
Stop outsourcing your vision to others. Reflect on how you’ve tied your identity and goals to external entities. Identify one step you can take today to begin reclaiming your agency. Commit to a vision that is uniquely yours, and let the power of independence transform your path.