Thursday, February 26, 2009

Tips for Women: Find Your Inner Power Source

By Deanna Collins

Finding and using your inner power source is a quite successful way to deal with tough times. While many people choose to use other means of support during these times, achieving your ambitions by using the strength within provides a method no amount of support or wealth can replace.

Many women already have the skills necessary to become an empowered woman, and are well on their way to having their goals and needs accomplished; personally, for their families or even their community. This self-empowerment depends on what skills women can learn. It's possible that you already have these skills and only need to work on their development.

The Elements of Empowerment

There are many different facets when it comes to empowerment. Whether it is economic, political or social, many women seek self-empowerment as an option of personal development. This empowerment helps women find in themselves the resources needed to get over the hurdle of a setback or difficulty. Becoming pro-active will not only improve your self-esteem and effectiveness, it in turn boosts your confidence, self-image as well as earning you respect from others.

People who are disempowered are often struggling with forces that appear beyond their control-these forces could in fact be the family, the workplace or even the community. With each particular scenario, individual empowerment is a necessary occurrence. Any group empowerment leans heavily on individuals who have already developed their own positive outlook, skills and motivation required to take the steps that can make a difference.

When Women Empower Themselves

Though much has been done to address gender discrimination, women remain more likely to find themselves disempowered in a variety of situations, especially in the family and in the workplace. The solution is clear: women need to seek out, build and claim power. The method for achieving a particular goal may require much thought and work, but personal empowerment is the place to start.

With this realization of self-potential, women are better equipped to take on more complex problems. There is proof to be clearly seen in this regard worldwide, for example in African and many more under-developed countries in which it's possible to find women's initiatives which have empowered not only themselves but whole communities.

Strategies for Empowerment

Education: Education enables women to discover ways to achieve their goals. Knowledge is power. Knowing the options available for the tasks we want to accomplish is essential to making the best decisions.

Make positive choices: Education can provide the analytical skills necessary to decision-making and the evaluation of different risks. When you hold a good knowledge base of available choices you have, confident decisions are easier to make.

Positive thinking and attitude: A defeatist or pessimistic attitude can destroy motivation and stop people from even starting to try to improve their lives and circumstances. Numerous psychological studies have shown that patterns of negative thinking can be altered with cognitive therapies. A simple gratitude journal can help maintain a positive attitude.

Building Self-esteem and confidence: Initiative is a matter of creative thinking, knowledge and confidence. With education and some manner of keeping track of achievements, no matter how small they may seem, you can be provided with a positive boost of confidence, foster initiative as well as improve your self esteem.

Interpersonal/communication skills: Good skills in the area of communication can make it easier for things move forward in life, especially those things that require you to have the ability to be persuasive and co-operative with others.

By developing their skills and awareness, individually or collectively, women can empower themselves in order to realize their potential, with benefits for themselves and their loved ones.

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