If we want to develop personal power, we need to get to know ourselves better, know our strengths and weaknesses, our triggers, limiting beliefs and unhealthy emotional reactions. But the trick is that while analyzing ourselves, we don't start judging ourselves. We need to be able to simply observe ourselves – both our good and bad traits – without criticism and judgment.

It can be hard to do, specially if we were criticized a lot as children. But now, as adults, we need to be like a good parent to ourselves and practice self-compassion. Because that's the only way to change.

The famous humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers said, „The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” Self-acceptance is the magic ingredient where our transformation begins.

It's easier to have self-compassion if we know that our bad habits are often a coping mechanism to avoid pain – it's how we protect ourselves. We aren't bad, we are just hurt. As psychologist Gabor Mate said: "Addiction is not a choice anybody makes. It's a response to emotional pain.”

When we criticize ourselves, it's like adding salt to the wound. When we start practicing self-compassion, it's like applying a healing balm to the wound. It's what enables us to heal our emotional scars, change our thinking patterns, and turn a new chapter in our lives.