She had an important decision to make. And was terribly confused.
“What should I do?’ she pleaded, sounding more like a child than the statuesque professional sitting across from me.
I debated my response and decided to go for it. “That’s not the question a powerful woman would ask,” I said.
She looked at me dumbfounded. It wasn’t what she expected to hear.
I suggested she ask herself the Power Question: What do I want? What do I really want? Not what your partner, parent or society wants—what you want.
I explained, “A powerful woman knows who she is, knows what she wants and expresses that in the world…unapologetically.”
“You give your power away the moment you look ‘out there’ for answers, approval or validation. You’re giving others control of your life.”
Admittedly, I assured her, “’What do I want?’ is not always easy to answer. Most of us never stop to consider the question. Even fewer have figured out the answer.
The answer can be very scary because if you tell yourself the truth, you go from being a victim to taking responsibility. Essentially our fear of power is our fear of becoming who we truly are.
So, I asked her again: “What do you want???”… and added in a hushed whisper…“If you weren’t afraid.”
I watched as she pondered the question. Gradually, I saw the confusion lift as relief took its place. Then she broke into a wide grin and told me exactly what she wanted. Clearly. Concisely. Confidently.
“That felt so empowering,” she exclaimed.
She finally understood: Truth is Power. And as with all of us, our truth always hides behind our fear.
My question to you: What do you want, that fear is keeping at bay?