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10 Life Empowerment Principles

A Professional Educator’s Personal Manifesto

Herm Allen

10 LIFE EMPOWERMENT PRINCIPLES: A PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR’S PERSONAL MANIFESTO

https://www.4mpactforpersonalgrowth.com

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Introduction

My dream growing up was not to become an educator and neither was it my intention to work in education – PERIOD!

It’s funny how life (often by our decisions) will bring you to a certain place and you scratch your head and ask yourself,

“How did I get here?” “Was it by accident?” “Was it by design?” “Was it by divine intervention?” Nonetheless, here

I am…20-plus years as a professional educator. Though I am content where I am and what I have accomplished…I

refuse to settle where I am.

Settle for what, you ask?

I refuse to settle on being content where I am.

I refuse to not settle on living according to the plans God promised me.

I refuse to allow people, situations and circumstances to control my life

I refuse to NOT make a difference Every Day.



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So why should this interest you? Many of you reading this manifesto don’t know me “from the man on the moon” as

my departed mother used to say; and you may never meet me in person. Some of you may know me and have met me

in person, wondering why I am writing this manifesto.

Well, the short answer is…

I refuse to accept that people, just like you, cannot live the life you want or desire in spite of your current personal

and/or professional/work situation or circumstances.

Truth be told, this manifesto is for me just as much as it is for you. Regardless of how we arrived “here” at this place in

time (see reasons above), what we choose to do from this day forward will have a tremendous impact on where we end.

Taken a step further, what we do from here on out will either build our legacy or damage it. Uh, you do realize you

are responsible for building your legacy? If you don’t realize this someone else will build it for you.

Your legacy may not be as grand as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or as impactful as Mother Teresa, or even as game-

changing as Steve Jobs. But know this…



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YOU WERE NOT PUT ON THIS EARTH JUST FOR YOU!

You should live your life as a sower planting seeds into other people’s lives such that when you are no longer around,

physically, those seeds will take root and grow beyond what you dare believe. Read that again!

I watched a segment of a Maui Mastermind (a business mastermind group) presentation by Jeff Hoffman, former CEO

and co-founder of Priceline.com. During his presentation, Mr. Hoffman talked about “What is your Golden Purpose?”

He continued that our Golden Purpose is at the intersection of three areas:

1. The thing you’re best at doing.

2. The thing you love doing; and

3. Something the world values.

For the purpose of this manifesto, I made a slight modification to Mr. Hoffman’s third area. Instead of “something the

world values” my viewpoint is…



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3a. The thing that you love doing that brings value to the world.

It is this point of view that I wish to share with you in my 10 Life Empowerment Principles. The ten principles that will

be explained below lays the foundation upon which I live my personal life, my professional life and how I operate my

business life. Of course, life’s circumstances and situations challenge each and every one of these principles everyday

however, each one provides a constant reminder of how to cope with or escape from those circumstances and situations.

It is my desire and expectation that these 10 Life Empowerment Principles bring value, not only to the world, but to

your world also.



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1. Keep God at the Center of Your Life.

The basic building block of life is built around a nucleus. So what better nucleus to build

your life around than that of God, The Creator of Life and the Universe. It is not by accident

that this is the first principle; nor do I apologize for my belief in the One who said “let there

be…” and it “became.” He also said, “let us create man(kind) in our image” therefore, my

character should be a mirror image of God. No, I’m not there yet but keeping Him at the

center of my life the odds are in my favor that more of Him than me will be seen by others.

For a glimpse of the character I’m referring to, take a look at Galatians 5:22-23.



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2. Do Unto Others Better Than They Have Done Unto You.

I understand this is not easy to do. That is why I had to list this this principle at number

two…to be constantly reminded of number one. You and I both know that some people will

“make you lose your religion” with their antics and behavior. However, don’t allow those

individuals to “make” you do anything. You are in control of you and to relinquish that

control is a form of slavery…psychological that is. If people see that you refuse to “go there”

with them, they will eventually throw in the towel; or at least realize that you won’t allow them

to push your buttons. So how do you do unto others BETTER? Forgive them. I said it isn’t

easy to do. But forgiving is more for you than it is for them thus you release them in the spirit

realm allowing God to “deal” with them rather than you.



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3. Don’t Try to Fit In; Instead, Stand Out.

You will have accomplished this by following the previous principles. What I mean is don’t

do things just to be accepted by others. Dare to be different. There is nothing wrong with

being different. What do I mean by different? Be different in the way you speak. Be different

in the way you treat others. Be different in the way you handle difficult situations. JUST BE

DIFFERENT! However, in doing so do different as if you are teaching a child. In other

words, be different in such a way that if your words or your actions are repeated by a child

there would be no shame or embarrassment regardless of who sees or hears it.



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4. Commit to Lifelong Learning.

During my youth I heard a speaker say, “the more you learn, the less you know.” At the time

I didn’t quite understand the full meaning of his words. Now I find myself often repeating

those words to youth (and adults) today. With today’s technology there is no excuse for not

learning something new every day. Regardless of your current career, age, race/ethnicity,

religion or any other identifier you can always learn something new within your current

vocation and beyond. Don’t ever feel or believe you have arrived or that you are above

learning and instruction. King Solomon, stated in his proverbs, “Commit yourself to

instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 23:12, NLT). The keys are to

be willing and to commit.



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5. Always Think, First, Before Doing.

At the time of this writing, I can honestly say that thinking first was not always my modus

operandi or M.O. Reacting is more like it. That didn’t always work in my favor. Thinking

first can keep you from much heartache. Thinking first can prevent unwanted and

unnecessary stress. Trust me on this one. What thinking first can do for you is…

Give you time to consider the consequences beforehand or,

Give you time to consider who may be affected or,

Give you time to consider other options/alternatives or,

Give you time to change your mind



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6. Be a Friend Rather Than Look For One

This principle is closely aligned with number three above. Some people try to fit in in order

to find friends while others try to find friends so they can fit in. Either scenario can lead to

disappointment. However, when you show yourself friendly you will attract friends. Is this an

absolute? Of course not. Not everyone will become your friend but this is true also when

you look for them. The difference between being a friend and looking for a friend is that

with the former acceptance is not the goal. Being friendly is not contingent upon being

accepted. Being friendly just might make you stand out.



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7. Build Strong Character to Avoid a Weak Reputation.

You and only you have the power and control to build strong character. Everything you say

and do on a daily basis contributes to the character you build. Over time, that character

becomes your reputation. If you are intentional about building strong character, you make it

difficult to damage your reputation. Of course that depends on how long and consistent your

character has been a positive asset towards making you who you are. While it is your

responsibility to build your character, it is not until you interact with others that determines

how strong your character really is. When you demonstrate integrity, honesty,

trustworthiness, selflessness and a myriad of other character-traits towards those with whom



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you interact regularly, consistently and genuinely it is then where you establish a reputation

of having strong character.



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8. Show Consistent Behavior Everywhere.

A common thread between this principle and the previous is consistency. When you show

consistent behavior everywhere, there is no confusing who you are wherever you are…work,

home, social settings, etc. I make every effort to be who I am everywhere I go. So should

you; and as you do, keep in mind all of the principles covered thus far and those to follow.

No one wants to be in the presence of someone who is unpredictable or “double-minded.”

Inconsistent behavior may or can result in a weak reputation which can lead to ineffective

relationships, poor work habits or damaged character.



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9. Speak Life Into Yourself and Others.

Words carry a load of power and can cause great pain when used inappropriately. However,

the flip side is true as well. Words can be uplifting and edifying, which is why it is vitally

important to speak ‘life’ into yourself and others. Speaking life means encouraging growth.

It means motivating. It means empowering and anything else that helps you and others to

make this journey a bit more pleasant. Besides, what is the value or benefit of verbally

attacking yourself or others?



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10. Leave a Trail Behind.

All that you are doing, have done or will do is not just for you…or at least it shouldn’t be. We

all have a greater purpose (or Golden Purpose mentioned earlier), to leave something behind

for others to use, follow or learn that will be an inspiration for them to continue their own

journey while also leaving a trail. Do you see the exponential impact this can have on our

world, or at the very least within our sphere of influence? It begins with you and me at this

point in time. While the physical number of days we have on this earth are limited, the trail

we leave behind is unlimited. That’s what we call LEGACY! You have a choice in building

your legacy beginning today.



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Closing

This personal manifesto gives you a glimpse into how I choose to live my personal life; how

I function in my work life; and how I approach my business life. Consistency is the key.

Regardless of your interaction or relationship with me…personal, work or business, you will

get consistency. I hope to have the opportunity to work with many of you at some point as I

leave a trail on this journey.

As a seasoned education professional, I am continually learning for personal and

professional growth…but not just for myself. You are in mind as I grow because the more I

learn and grow the more I can pass along to you and others who may cross my path in person



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or in the virtual space. I don’t take it lightly that you chose to read this manifesto. Hopefully

we can continue to connect and grow together.

May you keep this close:

Personal growth is when you grow from who you are to who you are meant to be.

Humbly yours,

Herm



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Who am I?

A committed, loving husband and father striving to live by the principles of

Christ. Every day I make every attempt to be a difference maker in the lives I

may encounter, whether that is my family, friends, co-workers, students, clients

or the unassuming person while I am out and about. “Be the change you want to see in the

world” is one of my favorite quotations. While I may not change the world at-large, that does

not stop me from changing my world of influence.

Seeking to use the gifts and talents bestowed upon me I have a duty and responsibility to

walk in the purpose for which I was created. That purpose is to help individuals grow from

who they are to who they are meant to be through personal growth coaching and training.



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MY BOOKS

Click on Book Covers or Go to Amazon.com, Search: Herm Allen

https://www.amazon.com/F-C-U-S-Essential-Principles-Students/dp/1511623063/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508185329&sr=8-1&keywords=herm+allen

http://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Words-Being-Herm-Allen/dp/1517064171/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1448053009&sr=8-2&keywords=Herm+Allen

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