I want to introduce you to your new magic word: ‘Agency’.

Agency is your ability to take action. It’s your willingness to take responsibility for your own life.

For anyone wanting to make a big change in their life, Agency is set to become an important word in their dictionary.

Here’s a small example of Agency. The local council installed new street lights. They were dazzlingly bright. So Lucia emailed the council’s ‘street lights department’ and complained. She pointed out they shone into people’s rooms, hindered sleep, and discouraged wildlife, especially bats.

The council has now said they will put shades on them to reduce the glare. It was a small act on Lucia’s part, and a small win. Maybe when the council puts up new lights elsewhere it will take into wildlife into account? But the point is, it takes someone with Agency for this to happen.

Agency is about changing the bad things in your life. You shouldn’t let other people get away with bad behaviour. Need to tell your mother an honest truth? Go do it.

It’s also about making good things happen. You want a better job? Go for it.

Agency means taking decisions, rather than letting other people make them for you.

It’s about having ‘get up and go’.

 

Exercise: Agency

On each of the columns in the table below, circle the word that most applies to you.

You can download an editable copy here: Agency Exercise

I recommend you try this exercise again in a couple of weeks, to see if you have more Agency.

Do you want help with achieving change in your life? We have a coaching programme that could help you. Learn more.