Why does power have such a bad rep, especially for women? Some people think it means controlling others, others believe it leads to corruption, still others shy away from the attention that comes when it’s used. 

I like to focus on the positives of power: 

• It can get you from one place to another
• It makes things glow
• It allows you to step out and claim what’s rightfully yours

And, the successful embracing of your own personal power can lead to all three of these. 

Many women have had to search for their own personal power. After years of cultural, familial, or societal conditioning, their personal power ends up buried somewhere-under some internal rock, inside someone else’s expectations, or in an alter ego who may or may not be hidden. 

Personally, I consider myself lucky. I’ve always known I am powerful. My challenge has been to use it wisely. To keep it bottled up and not let it come shooting out of the ends of my fingers (or, more likely, from my barbed tongue) at the drop of a hat. “Pick your battles,” is some of the best advice I’ve ever received. 

When I used my power indiscriminately, I alienated people, limited my self, and generally made my life more difficult. I focused my power on tearing things or other people down, rather than on creating things and building people up. What’s the difference now? In short, stuff happens. 

I have more and better ideas, because there’s enough space in my brain for them to come in. It’s no longer chock full of plans to win all those unimportant battles (like how I’m going to get my daughter, Elisabeth, to clean up her room or how I’m going to look better than my co-worker). 

I attract really interesting people into my life. By stepping out and using my personal power to create instead of tear down, I’m meeting people with similar goals, and we’re working on ways to help each other change the world. I do more than I ever thought I could. 

Are you feeling the twinges of your own current of personal power yet? Wondering how to get started wiring (or re-wiring) your self to step out and lead your self to greatness? How about creating your Personal Power Manifesto? 

A manifesto, you say? Isn’t that too radical? A manifesto is merely “a public written declaration of principles, policies, and objectives” (as defined by the Encarta dictionary). It’s just a list of what you believe, how you’ll behave, and what you’ll achieve. Is it the “public” part that’s scaring you? Well, you can start with just writing it and printing it out. Get it out of your head and onto paper. Keep it somewhere where you can see it regularly. As you get more comfortable with it, share it with others. 

The great benefit of a manifesto is the clarity it brings. By writing it down, you more clearly define what you want and how you want to get it. And the increased clarity makes it easier to find, achieve, and/or attract what you want. 

To get you started, there’s an example at the end of this article. Feel free to edit it however you like. Once you’ve done it, then share it. Post it on your blog, put it on your web site or Facebook page, tweet about it. 

And if you’re still balking at the concept of finding and using your personal power, I give you this quote from Elisabeth Kübler Ross: 

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. 

You have to have power to turn on your light. 

Power Manifesto Example 

I choose to find and embrace my personal power, as a key step in leading my own life. I will not wait for others to give me permission to use my personal power. The very fact that it is “personal” allows me, and only me, the right to decide where, when, and how to use it. 

I will no longer keep my personal power bottled up. It just gets stale and nasty. 

If I have not yet found my personal power, I commit to the sometimes difficult investigative work of locating it. I will ask myself tough questions, and look critically at my past experiences with my personal power. 

If I find that my personal power has been hiding in an alter ego, I will embrace that alter ego, and welcome it into my life. I commit to integrating my alter ego into my own ego-it’s easier to live a single life rather than a double life. 

I throw off others’ expectations of when and how to use my personal power. I trust that I actually do know what’s best for me, and will live up to my expectations of my self as the leader of my life. 

I assist and encourage others in their discovery of their personal power, and I allow myself to ask for help on my own journey. 

I celebrate all victories and accomplishments along the way. I give my self permission to step out, to be bold and brave, to make mistakes and learn from them. 

I choose to be fair and judicious in using my personal power. 

I choose to get comfortable with my personal power, and all its many benefits. 

Banis, Lynn “September Is Women of Achievement Month – Are You On-Board?.” September Is Women of Achievement Month – Are You On-Board? EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?September-­Is-­Women-­of-­Achievement-­Month-­-­-­Are-­You-­On-­Board?&id=4948324

Many cities and states have award ceremonies for women they believe have achieved a great deal. Those women are called Women of Achievement. They have done something that sets them apart from others.  They might be business giants, extraordinary volunteers or outstanding in other areas. They are the few that get recognized for what they have done. What about the rest of us? We go about our daily business doing extraordinary things all of the time but we do not look at our accomplishments as being extraordinary. Why is that? When you stop to think about it you will realize that what you do every day, the unique way you do what you do things is very extraordinary. There is only one you so lets celebrate that!

The month of September is designated Women of Achievement Month. I would like to see all women regard themselves as women of achievement. Let’s take a look at how you measure what you do and what you give to the world. If you are a parent you do one of the most extraordinary things any human can do on a daily basis – you shape and guide the growth of children. Stop for a moment and think back over the past year. What has your child accomplished over that period of time? Do you think that happened by chance? No – you were an integral part of your child’s growth. How extraordinary!

If you are a friend or relative again you do extraordinary things on a consistent basis. Once again, think back over the year. How have your relationships impacted other people? You were there for them, you made yourself available, you listened, you offered love and support. If that is not extraordinary I do not know what is.

There are so many roles we play in our lives. Take stock of yours and appreciate all of the extraordinary things you do while you are being who you are. Make a list of the things you now consider extraordinary. Keep your list going throughout the month of September. Be very aware of everything on your list, celebrate them and take some time to feel great about your achievements. September is your month to reflect and be aware of how very important you are in the lives of people around you. Their own lives would be lacking if they did not have you. Vow to carry yourself as a winner and appreciate what you give to the world.