As a woman, using your personal power is an emancipatory process. It means that you are free to act in ways you have chosen; that your decisions are the product of mature thinking. This kind of thinking entails proper evaluation of choices; it means that as a woman, you possess self-knowledge; you are aware of your capabilities as well as your limitations; and that you are willing to work towards overcoming them as you move on in the path of self-fulfillment.
You consciously use your gifts to the benefit of yourself and your community; you know that giving and sharing helps your grow. You also know that in this way, you can effect a positive change in yourself and your community. You clearly understand that personal power is not about exercising control over others or about being domineering. It is control over yourself, which enables you to experience true freedom from the bondage of your animal instincts, your narcissistic tendencies, and your negative emotions. Hence, you realize that your true power is revealed when you become a shining example; when others are inspired and motivated by you; when they pledge their allegiance to you because they consciously trust your vision and want to help you materialize it; and this kind of support fortifies and encourages you; it helps you stay focused on unleashing your greatest potential.
Therefore, personal freedom is achieved when:
- you resist societal expectations to conform to outdated norms;
- you steel yourself to hurtful and malevolent comments and to voices that too easily and readily stick the label ‘mediocrity’ on you;
- you are not your our own worst enemy by unjustifiably doubting your abilities being afraid of fulfilling your most magnificent potential;
- you make an impact with your engagement with worthwhile causes that you have consciously chosen to fight for;
- you are not afraid of making a declaration of your unique identity;
- you have the power to say ‘no’ when you discern that a proposition does not serve your personal growth and the common good;
- you do not allow daily distractions to interfere with the plans that really matter to you;
- you take the initiative to introduce novel ideas and launch innovative projects; and
- you act as an authentic woman, as Coach Odette Laurie underlines in her revealing interview at the Powered by Women Virtual Summit.
Hence, you experience personal freedom when you are liberated both from social oppression and self- oppression.
#powerfulwomen http://goo.gl/EzH9FA
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