Using the “Do Not Have Power” list from last week’s post, ask yourself if those items are on the list because you really don’t have power over them or because you don’t use the power you have. For example, at first glance you may think you have no power over what goes on in your work setting. How much of that is true and how much of that is because you are not using the power you do have?

Are you afraid to let yourself show your power? Do you use your power by speaking up, starting new things, offering new ideas, carefully saying “no,” disagreeing when it is right to do so, standing up for yourself, or asking for what you need?

If you answer no to most of these things, pick one of them to try. Think ahead about how you can start doing one of these things in safe, appropriate ways. Practice until you are ready to try another way and until you have become comfortable with many of these ways to use power.

Be sure to move items to your “Have Power” list if these behaviors help you get power over them.

If your children are old enough, they could benefit from understanding that  speaking up, starting new things, offering new ideas, carefully saying “no,” disagreeing when it is right to do so, standing up for yourself, or asking for what you need are all powerful things to do.