Thursday, March 5, 2009

Tips for Women: Find Your Inner Power Source

By Deanna Collins

When people are working towards achieving goals and ambitions, even when times are tough they may turn in many different directions to get some form of support. However, the most successful people are able to achieve their ambitions with the power and strength they find with their inner resources.

Self-empowerment depends on skills that women can learn. Many women already have them - they only need development. Empowered women are on the way to accomplishing their goals and satisfying their needs, either as individuals or in their families and communities.

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.

Disempowered people are often marginalized by forces that seem to be beyond their control-that could be in the family, the workplace or the community. Whatever the particular scenario, individual empowerment is fundamental. Group empowerment depends on individuals who have developed the positive outlook, skills and motivation to take the steps that can make a difference.

Women Taking Steps towards Empowering Themselves

Even with all that has been done regarding gender discrimination, women are still more likely to experience being disempowered in a multitude of various situations, most often falling into the categories of family and the workplace. There is a solution that is quite clear: women need to take the steps required to search out, build upon and claim their power. This may entail much thought and work in order to achieve a particular goal, but starting with personal empowerment is a great first step.

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 Attaining Empowerment

Education: In order to achieve their personal goals, women must discover ways in which to better equip themselves with knowledge. Knowledge is the key to power, and knowing the available options for the necessary tasks we want to accomplish becomes paramount to making the best possible decisions.

Decision-making skills: Making confident decisions is easier with good knowledge of available choices. Education provides analytical skills to help in decision-making and evaluating risk.

Positive attitudes and thoughts: With numerous studies having been conducted in the field of psychology, it has been shown how different patterns of negative thinking are in fact alterable with the help of cognitive therapy. A simple journal in which you keep track of your positive achievements could prevent any type of defeatist or pessimistic attitude from having the chance to destroy any individuals motivation.

Confidence-building and self-esteem: Education and the initiative to keep a track record of even the smallest achievements can boost both confidence and self-esteem. Confidence, knowledge and creative thinking are all part of this larger state of initiative.

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.

With the development of skills and awareness, whether it is individually or as a group, women who work towards empowerment with the goal of realizing their full potential will benefit not only themselves but their loved ones as well.

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