There’s no denying that life as a woman can be difficult. We face all kinds of unique issues, obstacles, and even outright persecution at times. Climbing the corporate ladder can be difficult for women, along with the many other responsibilities and burdens that we’re expected to juggle.
Now what? Should you just accept that life is difficult and you won’t be able to live the life you want? Of course not. Identifying and using your power is a wonderful thing for anyone, especially a woman. Let’s talk about how you can identify your power and step into it.
Slow Down
Our modern world spins dizzyingly fast. The pull of the workplace, family responsibilities, and social time can leave you with no time at all for self-care and slowing down. Stepping into your power as a woman requires so much more than simply waking up one morning and deciding to be blunt and ambitious that day.
No, you need time for self-reflection. You need to think about who you are - something that can get lost all too easily in today’s busy world. Think about your goals, your past achievements, and what kind of person you would like to be. Where do you fall short, in your own estimation? Why, and how can you fix that problem? Does it even need to be fixed?
These are weighty questions, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s good to set aside time to meditate, to relax, to just be yourself, by yourself. Even if you can only spare a few minutes a day to sip your favorite beverage in peace and just think, that’s a good start.
Trust Your Intuition
Women tend to be more in touch with their intuitive side than men. Of course, this isn’t always the case! Even so, listening to your gut is usually a good thing to do. Remember, your subconscious brain observes and analyzes the world around you more keenly than our conscious minds. If something about a situation - or a person - feels off, trust your instincts.
It can take some practice to learn to trust your intuition. Many people, especially women, are taught from a young age not to trust their own opinions. Making a decision on little more than a gut feeling can be scary. Even so, it’s better to trust your intuition than make a decision you’ll regret later.
Be Unapologetic
Do you find yourself adding “Sorry” after every sentence? Do you always apologize for everything, even if it’s not really your fault?
Try not to apologize for anything - unless, of course, you’re in a situation where you should apologize!
Being apologetic isn’t just about not mumbling “sorry” at every turn. Be unapologetic about who you are. Especially in some workplaces, there’s an unspoken idea the femininity equals unprofessionalism. Some people believe that an overly feminine woman can’t be successful or powerful.
Never apologize for your femininity. Remember, changing yourself or hiding an aspect about yourself to fit in with others can almost be a way of apologizing about yourself.
Another trait you should be unapologetic about is ambition or leadership skills. Have you noticed that men who take the lead in the workplace or actively pursue promotions are often praised for their initiative? All too often, women who display the exact same traits are disapproved of and have unpleasant labels attached to them. While this unfair behavior is gradually being corrected, there’s still a long way to go.
Even so, don’t be apologetic about your goals. Don’t be afraid to take charge. Women sometimes feel pressured to sugarcoat their criticisms, or even dance around the point they want to make. They’re afraid of being labeled “bossy”, or “overbearing”. While it’s always important to be kind and fair, especially in the workplace, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be a real leader.
Identify Your Strengths - And Weaknesses
To truly understand who you are as a person, you need to have a thorough understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses. For example, ambition and competence may be real strengths of yours. If a job needs doing, you’re the one to get it done. However, you may also have the tendency to steamroller over colleagues, not listening to anyone else’s suggestions. This is a weakness that could hinder you later on.
We’re all individuals, and it’s up to you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. This can take a painfully honest self-evaluation. Once you’re done, though, you’ll understand yourself better than you ever did before. This puts you in the perfect position to fully embrace your power as a woman, by carefully taking advantage of your strengths.
This is a great time to think about what kind of traits you would like to have. If you don’t consider yourself a particularly confident person, why not try and develop confidence? Start by building up your own self-esteem, putting yourself out of your comfort zone, and taking small steps towards real confidence in yourself.
Take Care of Yourself
Even the most confident, powerful woman ever needs time to refresh and renew. Being a powerful woman isn’t like turning on a switch. It’s an ongoing process. If you don’t top up your power source, it will run dry.
Of course, you may be thinking of regular self-care ideas. Hot baths, skincare treatments, meditation, vacations, whatever works to rejuvenate you. But taking care of yourself involves more than just a little pampering now and then. You have to truly believe that you can be a powerful woman.
This belief can’t just be a mantra you whisper to yourself occasionally. It has to be a motto, something you live your life by. The belief that you are a powerful woman needs to be built on a solid foundation. If you’re feeling low after a failure - because we all fail, from time to time - draw on past successes to strengthen yourself.
What about if you don’t have any past successes or achievements that you’re proud of? Well, now is the perfect time to start. Every woman’s journey to power starts with her saying to herself that is powerful.
