Women’s empowerment is one of my greatest passions. But I don’t just want you to be empowered, I want you to be powerful. There’s a slight difference, don’t you think? We have no problems with envisioning powerful men, it’s the norm. But powerful women? We have some resistance to that idea. But I would like us to get over that. So, in this post, I’m going to share some of my tips on how to be a powerful woman.
#1 – Power ≠ Masculinity
A lot of women conflate being powerful, especially being a powerful business woman, with needing to be more masculine. But that’s a huge loss! Women can draw immense power and strength from their innate femininity. Your femininity is one of your greatest assets, so the more you accept it, the more influence, magnetism, and courage you will tap into. Don’t be afraid of your softness, of dressing in a way that enhances your beauty, and of using your intuition to guide you. You can always utilize masculine energy when needed, but rest in your natural state as a woman when possible.
#2 – Embrace Your Desires
As women, we have been socialized since a young age to put other people’s needs and wants above our own. But our desires are powerful. They are what can give us the drive and motivation to do great things. It’s time to allow yourself to admit what you want. What you want is what you want, and there’s no shame in wanting what you want. Embrace your true desires and go after them, because suppressing them is a sure way to live an unsatisfying life.
#3 – Channel Your Sexual Energy
I recently attended Dita von Teese’s Glamonatrix show. Other than being a visual delight, what struck me most was how classy, elegant, and feminine she was as she performed. Burlesque, although quite artistic and creative, is a form of striptease. Yet, the way Dita channeled her sexuality and sensuality made her such a powerful woman. The audience was entranced by her, and most of them were women. That speaks to just how important it is for us to accept our immense sensual and sexual force.
#4 – Congregate With Other Women
What makes a woman powerful, more than almost anything else, is the community she builds around her. The patriarchy we have been living under for thousands of years has made it so we see other women as competition. But we need to let that thinking go now. We should collaborate, congregate, and uplift each other. This doesn’t mean that I’m advocating for you to let toxic people into your life just because they’re women. Not at all. You should always be picky and avoid these types when possible. But it means putting some effort into cultivating relationships with other powerful women. I created the A-List to facilitate this for my students.
#5 – Always Maintain Your Dignity
Lastly, and most importantly, ladies: always maintain your dignity. Whether it’s at work, in dating, in friendships, or (and especially) in conflict situations. If you keep your dignity as the number one priority, you will protect your sense of self-worth and likely also inspire other people treat you with respect. No matter how much you were in love with the guy, or how long you’ve known that friend, or whatever other benefit you get from something, if it chips at your dignity, it’s not worth it.
