We call the things we put as top priority in our lives, "idols".  As humans we tend to focus on four primary idols that we call, "deep idols".  Many humans seek power as the most important thing in their lives.  The person at work that wants to be the boss, no matter the cost.  The person at home, that wants to be in charge of everything, no matter the cost.  As with all deep idols, seeking power is about trying to attain that thing which you believe will make you happy.  And, as with all deep idols, seeking power to gain happiness will result in, you guessed it, no feelings of happiness.

The deep idol of power is really the ultimate in the self-reliant orientation.  As modern humans we are convinced that (1) if we can't explain something then it must not be real, (2) if we want something we simply have to try harder, (3) if life is not going well, it is our own fault.  As we seek power we are seeking the power over others to do our will.  Ultimately we either gain the power we are seeking or we do not.