More and more I am coming to realize that there can be no real leadership unless there is self-leadership, and that self-leadership can be one of the hardest and loneliness things to do, which is probably why so few people do it.

Like not letting anyone or anything affect you emotionally unless you let it, like saying no to what everyone else is saying yes to, like choosing long-term gratification over the instant hit right in front of you.

It is knowing that no one other than you is responsible for what is happening in your life right now and for what will happen, and that can be a damn lonely road to travel. Lonely, not lonesome, and still necessary.

But how do you still lead yourself at the end of the day, when you’re beat from a long day at work, feeling sore and bruised at the end of a hard day? How do you make yourself get up early in the morning, raring to go at another day?

I’ve discovered that there is no chance in hell you can lead yourself and others if you can not come from a place in yourself of inner strength. Like any muscle, inner strength comes from you working it day in and day out, and here’s a way for you to do just that.

Creating A Place of Power

Here’s the key: you must build feelings of inner power, strength and vitality inside of yourself daily, even when the world doesn’t give you a reason to. There is simply no other way; if you cannot create it before other people or circumstances do, in other words if you cannot lead with your own heart, mind and soul, then it just won’t happen.

So how do you do it? Here’s a modified visualization method my friend Eleutherios taught me, but which I’ve seen in varying formats elsewhere. I’ve found this supremely useful and it always works to get me smiling again at the end of a tough day.

1) Block out time. 5 to 10 minutes when you won’t be disturbed, switch off the phone and lock the door if you need to. Be certain that this is a special time you have set out for you and you only; think of it like setting an appointment with a very very important person.

2) Get comfortable, relax. Sit down comfortably and straight. Or lie down, symmetrically. Relax, but stay in good posture.

3) Close your eyes, and imagine yourself in a completely safe haven. Pick a place in your mind that resonates with you, real or imagined. This is your realm, your territory, you are completely safe here where you are the king. Get comfortable here, spend some time and make that space more and more real. Build detail and clarity, see, hear, feel, smell and even taste it.

Building Inner Strength & Power

4) Imagine a ball of pure, positive energy spinning above you. See it right above the top of your head, its immense vibrant energy compressing it on itself, getting denser and denser and stronger and stronger. This is a ball of pure positive power. Listen to it, what sound does it make? What color is it? Can you feel it swirling above you?

5) Absorb the ball into you through the top of your head, and feel powerful, vibrant positive energy soak into every cell of your being. Feel it as it moves through and fill your body from top to bottom, from your head, down to your chest, arms, stomach, your legs and your toes. Feel what it feels like to have your entire body, every single millimeter and tiny little cell be transformed to pure, positive energy. Soak in it, absorb it, and enjoy it.

6) Come back into the world, and bring the energy back with you. Feels good, doesn’t it? Open your eyes, and notice how you still feel as good. This is the sense of inner strength and power you can bring with you to the world, after whenever you choose to do this little meditation.

Create Places of Power

I know that some people have created places of power and sanctuary out here in the real world, in their homes, rooms where they have an altar, a meditation corner, or things that are important to them.

My next goal is to make my (too) long neglected room a place of power and sanctuary, with things that are dear to me and remind me of how far I have come.

If you’d like to do that but don’t have the means, I understand. So what little thing can you do to create more places of power for yourself?