I think it was way, way back in graduate school that someone first suggested I read Kaleel Jamisno’s little masterpiece, "The Nibble Theory and The Kernel of Power".
The book’s subtitle is, "A book about Leadership, Self-empowerment, and Personal Growth".
Working through the exercises in the book helped me understand the Core Belief that has sustained me through many difficult times. That belief: "There IS an answer. If I can just find it!"
What about you?
What’s your Kernel of Power? What keeps you going?
Since the book is no longer in print I’m going to share a few questions to help get you started.
Here’s her process:
- List your strengths. Remember: those are things you are born with, not things you’ve learned.
- Now look at your list. Take out any skills that may have got in there. Take out qualifiers.
- Look at your list of strengths. Ask yourself:
- Why is that important to me?
- What’s underneath that reason?
- Ask yourself: What makes me want to do that?
- How are your strengths tied to each other?
- What is at your center?
- What do you have that you take with you everywhere?
- Think of the things you do in life that are important to you and make you feel a sense of joy. Now, take those things, and ask the questions you’ve just asked again:
- Why is this important to you?
- How is it tied to your strength?
- What is your Kernel?
Work the questions. Sit with them. Revist them. Answer them. Over and over.
Give it time.
And, you will find your Kernel of Power.
