7 Tips for Achieving Self-Empowerment
If you’re thinking about going back to school, applying for a promotion, or making another life change, the first step is to nurture and embrace the confidence you’ll need to put yourself forward. Confidence not only helps you understand where your starting line is; it helps you lay out the path you’ll need to reach the finish. This is where self-empowerment comes in.
Self-empowered people take control of their lives by setting goals and taking actionable steps to achieve them. They not only understand how to get things done but also are confident, focused, and comfortable making decisions that guide them toward their future. If your self-confidence is shaky or you’re insecure about your ability to achieve your ambitions, you can take several steps to live a more empowered life.
What Is Self-Empowerment?
Self-empowerment means making a conscious decision to take charge of your destiny. It involves making positive choices, taking action to advance, and being confident in your ability to make and execute decisions. Self-empowered people understand their strengths and weaknesses and are motivated to learn and achieve.
For example, if someone is laid off, they can be passive in their job search and wait for a recruiter to find them on LinkedIn — or they can take proactive steps toward finding a new and better job: contacting former colleagues, researching opportunities, updating their marketable skills, and revamping their resume. Self-empowerment allows individuals to recognize that they have the power to make choices that can help them achieve their goals.
Tips to Achieve Self-Empowerment
If you’re striving to attain personal empowerment, focus on your drive, identify what you can control, and keep an objective, goal-oriented mindset. The following seven tips can help you achieve self-empowerment.
Develop a Positive Attitude
People who believe they control their own destiny — rather than giving in to external concepts such as fate, luck, or circumstance — are more likely to take charge of their future. Cultivate a positive attitude and outlook by evaluating your strengths and weaknesses, pursuing your passions, and trusting in your ability.
Set Reasonable Goals
Measurable, achievable goals are an important component of self-empowerment, and understanding how to set them can help you feel good about your achievements. If you want to run a marathon, start with smaller, increasing distances rather than trying to run 26.2 miles on day one.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
Laughter is contagious — and so are pessimism and negativity. Surrounding yourself with like-minded, motivated people can help you feel empowered to achieve your goals. If your self-esteem takes a blow, schedule time with positive friends, peers, and family members. Experiencing their positivity can improve your mental well-being, minimize your negativity, and empower you to follow your dreams.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care includes any activity that you do for yourself to feel happy and healthy. It can include everything from eating right and exercising to treating yourself to a spa treatment. Scheduling time to relax and rejuvenate will make you more productive. Additionally, being kind to yourself can help you be confident in your ability to address and overcome hardship.
Use Positive Self-Talk
To live a self-empowered life, focus on what you can do as opposed to what you can’t. For example, if you want to apply for a promotion that requires fluency in Spanish, instead of saying “I don’t speak Spanish,” try “I don’t speak Spanish yet. I can learn.” Practicing self-affirmations and displaying confidence in your ability to achieve your goals can help you take steps to achieve them.
Be Assertive
People who strive toward personal empowerment must be comfortable expressing their thoughts, ideas, and needs. If you’re invited to a party but have an important presentation the following day, let the host know you’ll be leaving early to prepare. Or if you and a co-worker are collaborating on a project, but you’re doing most of the work, don’t feel guilty about addressing the situation head-on and asking them to do their share.
Create an Action List
Empowered people take action, exhibit a growth mindset, and are comfortable learning and developing their abilities. They also understand that success does not come overnight but is a culmination of decisions and actions. If your goal is to finish your college degree within four years, list the actions you’ll need to take to achieve that goal, such as researching financial aid options, enrolling in an online program, and establishing a study schedule.
Live a Self-Empowered Life
People who consciously decide to take control of their lives are often happier, more fulfilled, and more satisfied in their careers. Taking steps to live a life that you design offers numerous benefits. If your goals include starting, completing, or advancing your education, take the first brave step toward earning your bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate by exploring Maryville University’s online degree programs.
Recommended Reading
What to Do if You Don’t Get That Promotion
How to Stand Out as a Career Nomad
What Is Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Harmony?
Sources
Believe & Empower Blog, “Self-Empowerment Tips for An Empowered Life”
The Daily Guru, “4 Clever Self-Empowerment Strategies”
The Lash Lounge, “10 Ways to Empower Yourself”
Mind Tools, “What Is Personal Empowerment?”
Operation Meditation, “5 Empowerment Strategies That Will Help You in Your Personal Growth”