What is Empowerment
One of the biggest questions I get asked is about self-empowerment. Really, when you think about it, if you’re not feeling empowered about yourself at home or at work, or even just in general, then this will have a negative impact on your ability to make the best decisions and take the best actions in your life.
To me, empowerment is about being okay with who you are and no longer being able to be manipulated by others to make decisions that are not in your best interest.
On another level it’s having the strength of character to do what’s right for you, and never give away your ‘power’ to be in control of your own life to others through thought, word or deed. When you think about it, the pathway to self-empowerment is to aim for healthy self-esteem.
As long as you can get to this place, then you are right on track for the next level, which is to take full ownership over all your decisions, actions and results.
How Do I Increase My Self-Confidence?
Before you can have healthy self-esteem, you must first work on your self-confidence. The difference between them is that self-esteem is when you feel competent to cope with the fundamental challenges of life and being worthwhile to be happy.
Whereas, self-confidence is the level of confidence you have in your abilities to handle whatever life throws at you. Your confidence can be increased through learning new skills that will help you to improve your abilities to deal with money, relationship, work, or even health challenges.
Then, as your confidence grows, so to will your self-esteem until eventually you will have a very strong sense of personal power. If you have ever spent anytime around people who exude personal power then you will know what this looks and feels like.
This is what you are aiming for. The look and feel that you not only deserve to be here but that you are here to shine brightly into the world and there is nothing that can take this light away from you.
How Do I Stop Caring About What Others Think?
When you are living your full personal power, then your happiness and fulfillment will no longer be dependent upon others. This does not mean that others don’t matter. Quite the contrary, as we live in a world where interdependence is a way of life.
What it does mean though is that others won’t be able to mentally, emotionally or physically manipulate, or ‘bully’ you into doing things ‘their’ way. Unless of course you choose to. It also means the end of codependent relationships, and the beginning of happier and healthier relationships based on equality and respect.
In fact, if you really want to fast track your personal power, then the simplest way to do it is to stop trying to please others. Just give it up and never do it again. This one action will free up your life and change your destiny far quicker than anything else you will ever do.
Be aware that the moment you stop giving others what they want all the time, there will be fall-out. Typically, this will look like they get pissed at you for not making them happy, or going along with whatever they thought was best for you.
Let them be pissed off because that tells you right away that they don’t give two hoots about you really, otherwise why get upset when all you are doing is saying ‘yes’ to yourself. Kind of stupid when you think about it.
This behavior tells you that perhaps it’s time to move on and find new and more enlightened relationships with people who can love and accept you for who you are.
As a final note, personal power is real easy to grow. It just takes the willingness to not be liked by everyone, and the courage to love others no matter whether they agree with you and your decisions, or not. To love yourself for who you are, the good, the bad and the ugly, is true self-love.
It is only when we can look in the mirror and be at total peace with the person that looks back that your life will take off in leaps and bounds. Then whatever adventure you choose to have, be it for love, money, fun, health or lifestyle, you can have it all – and be okay with it.
