Embrace Your True Power: A Guide to Authentic Empowerment for Professional Women

In a world where society and other people's expectations often control our lives, authentic empowerment brings hope and change. For professional women, authentic empowerment is more than just a trendy word; it's a deep journey of finding, accepting, and understanding ourselves. Authentic empowerment is about taking back our natural power and living a life that truly reflects who we are, especially at work.

What is Authentic Empowerment?

Authentic empowerment means understanding and accepting who you really are, including your strengths, values, passions, and even your weaknesses. Authentic empowerment is about speaking up, making choices that match your true desires, and living a life that shows your real self. Unlike fake empowerment, which depends on what others think and what you achieve, authentic empowerment comes from inside you and is based on knowing and loving yourself.

6 Pillars of Authentic Empowerment

1. Innate Talents:

Natural, inborn abilities you possess from birth or early life. These are often skills or capabilities that come effortlessly or with minimal effort. For example, you might have an innate talent for music, art, athletics, or writing.

2. Strengths: 

Qualities or attributes that you possess, which enable you to perform well in specific tasks or activities. These are often developed skills that, if leveraged, contribute to your success.  For example, you might be a good communicator, problem-solver, or leader.

3. Values:

Deeply held beliefs and principles that guide and influence your attitudes, choices, and behavior. They reflect what is important and meaningful to you. For example, you might value honesty, compassion, or hard work. 

4. Priorities:

Things that are most important or deserving of your attention and resources. They represent the order of significance to you related to your goals or responsibilities. For example, you might prioritize your family, your health, or your career.

5. Dreams:

Aspirations, visions, or goals you have for your future. They represent desired achievements, experiences, or states of being that you hope to realize. For example, you might dream of traveling the world, starting your own business, or making a difference in the world. 

6. Passions:

Intense, enthusiastic interests or activities that bring joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose. These are activities that you are deeply and emotionally connected to, often motivating you to invest time and effort. 

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5 Additional Actions to Increase Your Authentic Empowerment in the Workplace (and in life)

1. Cultivate Self-Awareness:

• Regular Reflection: 
  • Take some time each week to think about your work experiences. Notice what activities make you feel good and which ones make you tired. This can help you make better choices about your career.
• Seek Feedback: 
  • Ask your coworkers and mentors for helpful feedback. Their advice can help you understand your strengths and where you can improve.
• Personality Assessments: 
  • Use tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or StrengthsFinder to learn more about your personality and strengths.

2. Practice Self-Acceptance:

• Embrace Your Unique Contributions: 
  • Recognize the special skills and perspectives you bring to your workplace. Celebrate these and know that they add value to your family and workplace.
• Set Realistic Expectations: 
  • Avoid trying to be perfect. Set achievable goals and allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them.
• Positive Self-Talk: 
  • Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations that remind you of your worth and abilities.

3. Enhance Self-Expression:

• Communicate Assertively: 
  • Practice sharing your ideas, opinions, and needs clearly and confidently. Use “I” statements to express your perspective without sounding confrontational.
• Engage in Public Speaking: 
  • Improve your ability to express yourself by taking opportunities to speak in public, like giving presentations or participating in meetings. Groups like Toastmasters can help you practice in a supportive environment.
• Network Authentically: 
  • Build real relationships with your coworkers and industry peers. Networking should be about sharing your true self and making connections based on mutual respect and interests.

4. Develop Self-Compassion:

• Practice Self-Care: 
  • Make time for activities that take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health. This could include regular exercise, meditation, healthy eating, relaxation, and hobbies you enjoy.
• Manage Workload: 
  • Set boundaries for your work hours to avoid burnout. Learn to say “NO” to tasks that don’t match your priorities or capacity. Delegate or outsource where you can.
• Acknowledge Progress: 
  • Regularly think about your professional growth and achievements. Recognize the efforts you’ve made and the progress you’ve achieved, no matter how small.

5. Foster Self-Determination:

• Set Career Goals: 
  • Decide what you want to achieve in your career and make a plan to reach these goals. Break your goals into small, actionable steps and track your progress. You can use this FREE workbook – Your Success Plan to help you.
• Advocate for Yourself: 
  • Take charge of your career by looking for opportunities to advance, asking for promotions or raises, and negotiating terms that match your goals.
• Mentorship and Sponsorship: 
  • Find mentors and sponsors who can offer guidance, support, and opportunities for growth. A strong support network can help you navigate your career path more effectively.

Authentic empowerment is a lifelong journey that needs commitment, courage, and compassion. By accepting your true self and making choices that match your core values and desires, you can reach your full potential and live a life of true confidence and purpose, at work AND at home.

Remember, authentic empowerment isn't about being perfect; it’s about being real, being you, and leading with honesty. So, take the first step today and start your journey towards authentic empowerment. Your true power is waiting for you.

Share this blog post with the women in your life. The collective empowerment of women can change the world.

My inspiration and sources:

1. "The Authenticity Paradox," Harvard Business Review.
2. "Self-Compassion and Psychological Resilience," Kristin Neff.
3. "Finding Your Own North Star," Martha Beck.