Self empowerment is a topic near and dear to my heart and I recently wrote down my thoughts on how it affects us as we experience childhood and adulthood in my own opinion. Enjoy!
Each one of us is SO amazingly powerful inside, if we only REALIZE it. Do you think that Plato, Shakespeare, or Albert Einstein were any different than you and I? Take even our popular figures today, Jack Canfield, Tony Robbins, Oprah, Donald Trump…these are all just people like you and I.
The difference is that they have made a decision. They have decided to tap into their own infinite power by continuously challenging themselves, and living in alignment with their ultimate purpose. I firmly feel that if you don’t believe in yourself, no one is going to offer to do it for you. Any self-doubts, limitations, and fears you may harbor are only results of what society has molded us to believe.
There is a Buddhist Proverb that reads “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” This is so completely true. When you make up your mind to align with your life’s purpose and passions, you will discover the POWERFUL being that lies deep within you. As part of this journey, you will look to leaders and mentors along the way, and I promise you, they WILL appear.
How Our Power Is Slowly RIPPED Away From Us
Let’s take a look at how easy it is for society to mold us into ‘normality’ taking away our power one year at a time. Taking away our power that is, until we decide to TAKE A STAND, and TAKE IT BACK!
When we are little babies everything we do (which consists of eating, sleeping, and pooping) is “CUTE”, right? Every smile, every movement, all adorable and anything we do is acceptable.
When we become toddlers we begin first crawling and then walking, all the while exploring EVERYTHING we can get our HANDS ON, with absolutely No Fear, and still… we are “CUTE”.
Somewhere between the tender ages of 2 and 5 we begin to hear the words NO and DON’T quite often. “Don’t play with your food.” “Don’t climb on the swing, you might fall.” “Don’t touch that!” “No, no, no, don’t do that.” These words become engrained in us.
Then we hit grade school from ages 6-11 and spend our days trying to please the teacher and act how we are “supposed to” in school. We are very easily embarrassed, so we try to blend in, or we have a burning desire for attention, so we act out… but either way we want to have friends and be accepted by our peers. Our fearlessness begins to take a hit as we begin wondering what other people think of us.
Throughout middle school “fitting in” becomes #1 priority (And Kudos to anyone who made it through middle school without thinking this way). Hormones hit and our self image is greatly affected by the way other boys and girls see us. Add the media into that mix and you are LUCKY to escape middle school with a Positive Self-Image.
The Big Question…”What Do You Want To Be?”
Supposing you do, you get to high school where you are judged on your “success” in class, sports, and extracurricular activities. Suddenly, everyone wants to know “what are you going to do after high school?” The path you choose is met with different opinions and sometimes various sarcastic undertones depending on who you share your plans with. You are pushed to decide “what you want to be.” This question directly opposes what I once heard from a very wise teacher who said the better question would be, “what were you put here on Earth to do”?
This puts the emphasis of the question on individual gifts and talents, and how the person can best USE them to help others. This is essentially the question you want to ask yourself when aligning your life with your PURPOSE. It is a purpose-driven life that will allow you to reconnect with your INNER POWER.
Getting back to our graduating seniors, here… Often a path in higher education is looked upon favorably and you are the pride and joy of your parents when you finally choose a major. The unfortunate truth is, most people have been so BRAINWASHED that their #1 GOAL in LIFE is to fit in, and make a living by working the “safe” 9-5 J-O-B. Many people don’t even comprehend what life COULD be like if they never had to worry about MONEY or experience the FREEDOM that comes with BEING YOUR OWN BOSS.
Our promising, vibrant, college-bound high school graduates will now be spending thousands of dollars and 2+ years of their lives learning a profession that they “THINK” they will like. How many young adults entering college can REALLY say they have tried their future profession for more than a few hours or days? I’m betting the percentage is small.
Suffering From The J-O-B Blues?
Friends, I am speaking from experience here. This is exactly where I find myself three years after graduating with my Master’s degree, with a steady, reliable job that I landed just after graduating…wondering what the hell I’m doing! And I’m not alone! If I take a quick look at my 5 best friends, all college educated, 2 with Masters degrees, I will share with you that 2 of them ‘like’ their job, and NONE of them are happy with BOTH their job AND their compensation.
So what is my point? My point is…that it is Right Here, Right Now, at this situation of DISSATISFACTION and UNHAPPINESS that you need to make a DECISION. Are you going to continue living your life like this, giving away your INNER POWER to an unthankful boss, petty co-workers, a rigorous schedule, and minimal income!?! Or are you going to DO SOMETHING!
It’s Time To TAKE BACK YOUR INNER POWER!
The only way you are going to get back your INNER POWER is if you TAKE ACTION. Here are several techniques you can use to decide which direction to turn.
1.) BE GRATEFUL. Every day the media bombards us with negativity. Co-workers, family members, and friends are always blaming and complaining about everyone and everything in their lives. What they don’t understand is that they need to take 100% Responsibility for the life they have created. You can start to FEEL GREAT very easily… Be Grateful! Even if you can’t think of anything in your life to be grateful for, be grateful you have a computer to read this post on. Be grateful that you have eyes to see it and a healthy brain that comprehends it. There are so many things in our lives that we take advantage of every day. Start recognizing the little stuff and write down at least 5 things you are grateful for once a day. I promise you that developing an attitude of gratitude will be life-changing.
2.) MAP YOUR DREAM LIFE. Take a few moments to visualize what your dream life looks like. Think about every area of your life- Financial, Professional, Physical, Relationships, Community, Spiritual, Recreation, and Personal. Then write it out. Your dream life should not fit on one measly piece of paper…this is your future we’re talking about! Write out every detail of your house, your car, your perfect relationship, the trips you take, etc. When you get your dream life on paper, begin reviewing it every morning when you wake up and every evening when you go to bed. Try to read it several times throughout the day as well if you can. Rewrite it as often as you feel necessary as your goals change and grow.
3.) DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE AND PASSIONS. Begin to think about what really lights your fire. What are your gifts and talents, and how do you see yourself sharing them with the world? In other words, what is your life’s PURPOSE? Make a list of everything you like to do. Go through your list and consider which things you would do if you were NOT PAID to do them. When you narrow those down use each one to complete this sentence: I would LOVE to _________________. When you find the right one, it will just click! By using this technique you will refine your life’s purpose and passions each time. It is OK if you don’t instantly figure out your true passion, just start THINKING about it and you will be on the RIGHT PATH!
4.) STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. You have probably heard this many times, as mentioned by our dear friend Zig Ziglar, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Good ‘ole Zig is right on the money. Your best thinking has gotten you to where you are today. Unless you change your thinking and your actions… your life will remain the same. Learn to love that little knot in your stomach when you get uncomfortable in a new experience…that means you are GROWING! Let go of self-limiting beliefs and fears! If you are always worried about what others think of you, guess what? They are too busy worrying about themselves to REALLY give you more than a few seconds of thought. So don’t worry about what others might think!
5.) BECOME KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT YOUR PASSIONS. Find mentors and gain knowledge about your passions. Turning your passions into your profession requires you to figure out a way to make money with them. The good news is, someone has probably already done it. That’s not bad! That means that at your fingertips are mentors that you can research and find out how they were successful. There are innumerable books, training series, DVD’s, CD’s, and information in every form you can imagine about your PASSIONS. Get knowledgeable about your passions, get creative, and figure out how YOU are going to create a lifestyle for you and your family where you NEVER HAVE TO WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE!
Truly my friends, these are five techniques that have changed my life. I urge you to take to heart the suggestions I have made in this post. Think about your childhood…not just vaguely, but specifically and reflect on the memories you have of being told you could or could not accomplish something. Shedding your self-limiting beliefs starts with figuring out where they came from.
I hope that you have enjoyed the contents of this post. I would love to know your thoughts about Taking Back Your Inner Power so please leave a comment below.
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Yours In Love And Power,
Dream It…Believe It…Do It…
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Awesome post. Thanks Amanda. I love the idea of student and teacher and believe that we should life our lives in a way that we are open to both when the opportunities present themselves. It’s about giving value to everyone you can and also being open to receive value from others as a student so that you can take it and give it back again. And the cycle will continue. Abundance for everyone! We are all created with an amazing gift to create a great life for ourselves and others around us. Thanks again.
God Bless!
Hey Amanda,
Great Post! If people were taught to find their passion in life at a younger age, many would not be stuck in the rat race of life.
You are such an inspiration!
Amanda,
What an awesome article! I can relate so well to this. I agree that instead of just asking kids what they want to be when they grow up, we should ask what were you put on this earth to do.
We were all created with a purpose, something that once we discover, we have the passion to follow through on it.
Thanks so much for this,
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Meet Malin Berdette, World Traveler Extraordinaire =-.
Hi Val!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your opinion! That is seriously a question that is not asked enough! The road to living out your passion is always changing course but it sure is a fun trip!
Hi Amanda,
What an inspiring post! Some of us may have heard these recomendations at some time in the past, however, we tend to forget them and find ourselves drifting off course. It so good when their purpose are bought back home to us, enabaling us to find our bearings again.
Keep up the good work,
Paul.
Hi Amanda,
Great post, “loving the knot in your stomach” and not resisting it, i can totally relate to that, its so much easier when you let go and love who you are and where your at
.-= cheryl Ingebrigtsen´s last blog ..Following Your Heart =-.
Amanda Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
@cheryl Ingebrigtsen, absolutely! True leaders aren’t afraid of “the knot”feeling, letting go, and accepting themselves.
What an incredible post Amanda! As a mother the points you made about upbringing and the school system which trains kids to be a certain way and make their sole goal in life to go to college really struck a chord with me. As a homeschooling mom, your comments about what kids are “supposed” to learn and what their sole goal in life is “supposed” to be vs. asking them what they were put on this earth to do makes total sense to me. Wish I had been asked that as a kid!
I just loved this Amanda. Thank you so much!
Kitara
.-= Kitara R. Wilson´s last blog ..The Law of Reflection : christywhitman.com =-.
Amanda Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
@Kitara, I wish someone had asked me that as well like I mentioned in the post! Hopefully now as more aware mothers (I will be a mom one day) we’ll be able to capitalize on our children’s creative sides and provide situations and ideas in which they can follow their life’s passions and avoid the “what I should do” feelings! I appreciate your input!
Hi Amanda,
These 5 techniques, if used by everyone who reads them, not just in this post, can change the world!
Thanks for putting it so clearly,
Sandy
.-= Sandy & Al Abrams´s last blog ..From The Other Side Of The Nipple: Another Psychic Communication For Mom =-.
Amanda Reply:
May 8th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
@Sandy & Al Abrams, no problem! Glad you enjoyed the post!
Amanda,
Wow! Way to hit the nail on the head. The point about being grateful is my favorite one. I have made this a part of my everyday life. Even on the worst days I have so much to be grateful for (with three beautiful little girls it is easy to be grateful:-) Taking some time many moments throughout the day to feel gratitude can make all the difference in your life. I mean really feel it. Grateful can feel warm, cozy, happy, content, passionate but it always feels good!
Thanks for sharing this great post!
Mary Thayer
.-= Mary Thayer´s last blog ..Hanging Out In Las Vegas Is Part of The Job….. =-.
Amanda Reply:
May 8th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
@Mary, what a wonderful practice to be in! I love your explanation of “how” gratitude can feel but your right, it’s always good! I’m grateful for your daughters that bring so much joy to your life!
Thanks for stopping by!
Another great post by Amanda. I plan to personally thank you at the No Excuses conference in Las Vegas in a little more than a month. You have accelerated The Tribe’s learning process, which we all appreciate. Keep it up and let me know if I can help you with anything.
Jim Koeneman
Blog: http://www.helpingothersachieve.com
Excellent post! You touched on so many important points. In regards to life’s purpose, most people aren’t conscious enough to know what their life’s purpose is. The daily mundanes of life and existing on autopilot are the norm. To question yourself what’s your life purpose is to be conscious and most people just aren’t that aware
.
Janette
.-= Janette Stoll´s last blog ..Get More Network Marketing Leads with Article Marketing =-.
hi, i just want to thank you for this post, i really like your blog, thanks and more power.
Went I was an active professional musician, I was a lot more positive. I believe it had to do a lot with working with younger people. Being around older people seems to be more of an negative environment. I believe it is because older people have had the wind knocked out of their sails, compared to younger people.
I have grown up through the years. However, I did leave some room for the kid in me.
No matter what age a person is, you can always change. You just have to have inner spark of will power to get things rolling.
As usual, good post and it loud and clear.
.-= Spunky Jones´s last blog ..Get Onboard the Blackhat SEO Train. Destination, Overnight Success! =-.
Hello Amanda,
I read your post on “getting back your power.” I really sensed that you were talking to yourself. For myself, I always felt that my power was something that I grew into, beginning from when I was in the first grade in my one room school where I had a hero of a teacher for four straight years, to having a real sweetie of a teacher in 5th grade who invited me to her home for some time over the summer, to another jewel of a teacher to taught me to give a declamation in front of a large audience (and I won first prize), etc., etc. . . . .If I were only beginning to do this after I celebrated my 84th birthday (if I lived so long), that would be very sad.
Lottie
.-= Lottie´s last blog ..Anti-Aging Secrets and You =-.
Awesome post!! I absolutely agree that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. This has happened to me so many times in life and, in fact, it happened to me last week.
I must have done something right raising my son because he has been following his passion in life since a very early age. He has always known exactly what he wanted to do and he is living his passion on a daily basis. One thing that is very apparent with him is that everything he needs falls in his lap. I truly believe that is because he is living his passion and attracting what he needs to him.
Find your passion … and everything falls into place!!
Wendy Hewlett
Wendy Hewlett´s last [type] ..Think Smart & Be Creative
Wow Amanda! I must say this definitely hit home. These are beliefs that I live by, that I too follow and pursue day in and day out. When I read this I can’t help but think about how my choice allowed me to be led to you, Katie and Jonathan thanks to a friend of mine, Kantrese (whom is a Team Member in my Home Business now).
I made a choice about 6 years ago to stop “surviving” and actually start “living” no matter what it took. This honestly was a huge stepping stone as it resulted in many difficult times and obstacles in my life (that I am TRULY THANKFUL and GRATEFUL for). All of those learning curves and experiences… that my choice led me through gave me the benefit of being here right now with you and so many others that I am learning so much from. And now I am able to pass along what I have learned… what a beautiful feeling!
You have inspired me even more now. I have honestly lived by these but you have made it much easier to map them out now. I am going to take the 5 techniques you have laid out here and dedicate to completing them.
What a great post and a BIG THANK YOU!
Jennifer May´s last [type] ..My Top 20 Reasons WHY NOT To SURRENDER To Life’s Obstacles… But OVERCOME And FACE Them
Hi Amanda,
thank you so much for writing that AWESOME article.
Love and Light
from
Yorinda
Hi Amanda,
I’m new to your blog so just wanted to stop in and say hi!
Awesome post by the way. I also just read your “An Offbeat Strategy For Getting Highly Targeted, Free Traffic WHILE Increasing Your Own Value” post…thanks!
Lauren
Lauren Snyder´s last [type] ..Success Secrets From a Four-Time Olympian
Hi Amanda,
What a great post that describes the various stages of growth and examples of mindset of an individual’s journey. Although the choices are many, contemplating upon a specific income-producing option can be somewhat overwhelming.
So true that everyone has their own gifts and talents and when that is recognized, the decision process is narrowed down. When it is discovered, it becomes evident in the purpose for what the individual is meant to do.
Thanks again for sharing.
Aloha,
Nelly
WOW AMANDA!
Powerful post. Each part hit home on so many levels.
My life changed when I finally started to design my life around MY passions and use these “joys” to help and serve others. I have you, Jenn, and the team to thank for inspiring me everyday!!
The steps you laid out are a true GEM we can take with us all. <3
Thanks for such an inspiring post!!
Roshanda Gilmore´s last [type] ..Are You Coach-Able Enough To Obtain Financial Success
Interesting, we all need such empowering input all the time. For me, it saved my day.
Thanks Amanda-Marie for sharing.