Do you remember that song? It gives me so much energy. To be honest, I have no clue how the rest of that song goes. There are a lot of la-la-las in my mind. It does make me smile and get out of my chair and move or take some kind of action. I was thinking about that song today for some reason. While sitting here, soaking in its energy, I realized that empowered also means being in charge, making your own decisions and being part of the steps you take. There is no need to wait, and the decision you make can be changed at any moment. You are in charge. It allows you to choose anything that feels right and just give it a go. It opens up a sea of possibilities.
After some jam-packed days full of stress, I felt utterly drained. I had thrown my own empowerment out of the window. I wasn’t sure how to get my vast to-do list done in one day. I knew I had to do something differently. My go-to remedy when I get stuck is music, walking the dogs and moving my body. Today, the music came to me to get me back into my own empowerment.
I finally had a breather. I made some coffee and sat down to think. That’s when this song popped into my mind again – You got the power! Woohoo! You got the power! And yes, we do! I do have control over my own empowerment. You do have an influence on your day. We can empower ourselves.
How to Feel Empowered Right Now
- Stop Trying to Please Others
“When you say ‘Yes’ to others, make sure you are not saying ‘No’ to yourself.” ~ Paulo Coelho
Yes, you can be considerate; but you have to be kind and courteous to yourself. People-pleasers are known for doing whatever it takes to make other people happy. While being kind and helpful is generally a good thing, going too far to please others can leave you feeling emotionally depleted, stressed and anxious.
- Have Some “Me” Time
Regular, uninterrupted “me” time helps our busy brains unplug and unwind. In doing so, we relieve stress which helps us sleep better, gives us more control over our moods, increases our patience level and allows us to live in the moment. There are only 24 hours in the day, so plan some self-care and self-actualization time! Even if it is as little as 10 minutes, clear your mind and focus on yourself for a bit. Where are your thoughts leading you?
- What Puts a Smile on Your Face?
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” ~ Phyllis Diller
Smiling reduces the stress that your mind, body or soul feel. Smiling has numerous positive effects on us. It stimulates the brain, awakens the positive vibes, makes you come across as friendly and brings happiness to the surrounding people. Thinking about what makes you smile can instantly make you happier. For me, this is finding time to listen and write.
- Set Priorities
“We must let go of the life we have planned so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” ~ Joseph Campbell
What is the most important “to-do” for you today? Do that thing first. After that, you’ll feel more creative and freer to focus on other things. Establishing priorities is necessary to complete everything that needs to be done. Prioritization is essential because it allows you to give your attention to important and urgent tasks so that you can later focus on lower priority tasks.
- Breathe!
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Make time to take a few deep breaths. You’ll immediately feel calmer. Make sure to check in with yourself today. Deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness. Breathing techniques help you feel connected to your body – it brings your awareness away from the worries in your head and quiets your mind.
- Trust Yourself More
“Self-trust is the first secret of success.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Trusting yourself is one of the most helpful things you can do in your life. It can help build your confidence, allow others to trust you more and make decision-making much more effortless. To trust yourself all you need to do is make a little effort, create self-love and find the ability to look inward. Trust that everything that needs to be done will be done.
Being empowered means being in charge!
