“Monday 5 Things” ….. Power Full …..
March 24, 2025 by D. Paul Graham.
Over Niagara Falls, scanned Kodachrome 64 image for Nikon Canada, circa 1984. Photo by D. Paul Graham / imageGRAHAM, llc
Strapped in safely and flying at speed through the Niagara Gorge, as we banked over the falls, I resisted the urge to squeal and giggle like a little kid. However, there was no hiding my excitement as I spoke through the headset, asking the pilot to bank the helicopter again. And again, and again, as steep and as low as flight minimums would allow. I could almost feel the spray from below as the power of Niagara Falls was revealed from a new perspective in the Bell copter. As I reminisced over scanned Kodachrome slides from this shoot, some 40 years ago, the images of the Falls provided a perfect metaphor for power. True power is about impact. Power is a force that shapes our lives, whether through a whispered word, an act of defiance, or the simple decision to do what others won’t. There are the subtle but powerful mindsets that separate those who move with purpose from those who drift through life aimlessly. This morning’s M5T looks at being Power Full, understanding the power that we can use to shape and master ways to approach challenges, relationships, and dreams.
1. POWER OF BEING UNDERESTIMATED. There’s a hidden advantage in being underestimated. No one is watching too closely, and no one expects much from you. This means you’re free to move, strategize, and grow without the weight of external expectations or pressures. Society often measures success in predictable ways of titles, pedigree, credentials, experience, and social status. The reality is that none of these things determine how far you can go. The qualities that really count, grit, determination, resilience, and creativity, are impossible to quantify on paper. Being underestimated becomes a superpower. The best underdog stories have a common theme; no one saw them coming. There’s a special kind of magic in being underestimated. It lowers expectations, keeps you off the radar, and gives you room to maneuver. When people assume you won’t achieve much, they don’t bother competing with you. They don’t see you as a threat. And that’s precisely when you have the space to build something incredible. By the time they realize their mistake, it’s too late. You’ve already gained momentum and advantage. Don’t waste time trying to prove people wrong with words. Let your results do the talking. And when people finally notice? You’ll be too busy succeeding to care.
2. POWER OF SAYING NO. Every “yes” comes with a cost. We often say yes out of obligation. We don’t want to disappoint, because we feel guilty, or we fear missing out. Every time we agree to something unimportant, we’re saying no to something that is important. Time, energy, and focus are finite resources. If you don’t protect them, others will drain them. Saying no isn’t rude. It’s strategic. It’s having clarity on what truly matters. Every time you say yes to something that doesn’t serve you, you’re saying no to something that does. If you say yes to everything that’s asked of you, your life becomes cluttered and chaotic. If you’re intentional about what you allow in, you create space for the things that add to the goals and dreams that are most important to you. "No" is a complete sentence. No further explanation is needed. It's the ultimate power move, freeing up your time, energy, and sanity. Say no to distractions, bad deals, and timewasters to trim the excess in your life. Learn to say no without over-explaining. Without guilt. Without hesitation. Your future self will thank you.
3. POWER OF LIVING WITH FAITH. You won’t always know how things will turn out. You won’t always have a clear plan. And sometimes, you’ll feel like you’re moving forward blindly. That’s where faith comes in. Faith is believing in something greater than yourself. It’s believing that God has put you in this place for a higher purpose. It’s about having the confidence to keep moving forward even when you can’t see the whole road. It’s about trusting the process, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. It’s about believing that your efforts will pay off, even when you don’t see immediate results. Whether it’s faith in a higher power, faith in the process, or faith in yourself, it’s what keeps you from slamming on the brakes when doubt creeps in. Every successful person reaches a point where they thought, “Is this even worth it? Am I crazy?” You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to trust that the next step will reveal itself. Because it always does.
4. POWER OF EXTENDING GRACE. People will disappoint you. They’ll say the wrong thing. They’ll act selfishly. They’ll mess up. They’ll outright lie to you. They’ll do things to hurt you, possibly even try to crush you. And oops, as you will do with others. If you carry every offense with you, the weight makes everything harder in your life. Extending grace isn’t about excusing bad behavior. It’s about recognizing that we’re all flawed humans who make mistakes, we can be intentionally malicious, and that we are all learning and trying to figure things out. Extending grace offers kindness, patience, and understanding even when it isn’t deserved or expected. It’s choosing forgiveness over resentment, empathy over judgment, and love over indifference. Grace is the quiet strength that softens conflict, the second chance that mends relationships. It’s not about weakness or passivity. It’s an active choice to uplift rather than tear down, to see beyond mistakes, and allowing space to grow.
5. POWER OF BELIEVING IN YOUR VISION. No one will see your dream as clearly as you do. No one else has your exact perspective, which means your vision is uniquely yours to bring to life. Most people struggle to believe in things that don’t yet exist. That’s why so many brilliant ideas are dismissed at first. The biggest mistake you can make is letting other people’s doubts shake your confidence or desire to move forward. The world doesn’t need more people waiting for permission to go after what they want. It needs more people willing to chase their vision, even when no one else understands it. If you see something worth creating, building, or pursuing, believe in it. Whether it’s a business, a relationship, your family, a creative pursuit, or a dream that won’t let go, hold on tight and continue to push forward. Every day. Visionaries aren’t fueled by approval. All great achievements have started as an idea someone else doubted. Trust that your perspective is valid. Because once you make it happen, the same people who doubted you will be the first ones asking how you did it. Imagine it. Embrace it. Create it. Build it. Live it.
Here's to setting an intentional tone for the week to live, dream, and act Power Full.
For over 13 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T™. He is always excited to be up in the air.
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