How to Empower Yourself Today

What does it mean to empower yourself and where do you begin? When you’re empowered you feel in control of your life. You’re able to set a goal or intention and believe that you have a good to great chance at achieving it. You feel good about yourself. Your self-esteem and self-confidence is high. You may experience difficulties and setbacks — everyone does — but you view them as learning experiences that ultimately make you stronger. You take each day as it comes and appreciate all that you have – whether it’s your health, your friends, a job or simply an inner peace and contentment – no matter what happens. Empowerment is also about being authentic, honest and true to yourself. It’s recognizing your skills, talents and abilities and putting them to use in the world. Sound like something you’d like to achieve? Following are some ideas about how to empower yourself today.

Give Yourself a Period of Exploration

You might be feeling disempowered because you’re stuck in a rut. You don’t like your job, but don’t have a clear idea about what else you could do. Or, perhaps you’re just bored with life in general and need a jump-start. Try giving yourself permission to take a period of time, say six months to a year, to try some new things. These don’t need to be related to your area of discontent. You just want to get some energy moving in your life and challenge yourself a little. Ideas might include taking a class, volunteering for a community cause, hiring a personal coach or taking a break on a long weekend to explore someplace new.

Think of Someone You Admire

Imagination is a powerful tool in becoming more empowered. Think for a moment about someone you admire. Perhaps it’s someone in your group of friends and family. It could be a public figure currently alive, or an historical figure. Close your eyes for just a moment. Bring this person to mind and really feel those qualities you admire about them. Are they powerful, kind, full of vision and purpose? Do they have a great sense of humor? Use the power of your mind to imagine being with that person. How do you feel in their presence? What would they say to you right now to encourage you? Psychologists say that using your mind in this way actually boosts our self-confidence.