Interestingly enough when we think about these strong words, we generally think of others rather than ourselves. Upon reading the title, did you notice how your brain conjured up images that did not include YOU? Instead we think of how our fellow humans (or society, or worse the government) empower, or disempower for that matter, others within their sphere of influence. We think of both people who and experiences that inspire, motivate or influence our life decisions. It’s accepted that every minute of the day social media, the news, our family and our peers have influence over us. It often feels like this positive or negative power affect is being done ‘to us’, not of our own control. But that is not true at all. Ultimately, all we humans have the power mind and power muscles to choose freely. “To Be Empowered: having the knowledge, confidence, means, or ability to do things or make decisions for/by oneself.” #ownit

There you will see a long power cord of similarities both positive and negative. Talking habits, eating habits, exercise habits and thought patterns.The game changer here is that YOU can actually be brave and control where to plug yourself in and even when to unplug! You are free to seek out or avoid things and people who affect your power and ultimately what direction to put out your own power vibe to.   

It’s 6am now, while I am dictating into my phone- blog these random thoughts, I’m driving myself to the gym in the dark. I am headed towards what I know will be a completely kick ass Headstrong Fit workout. However, backing up to 5am, I confess that I didn’t want to get out of bed and I hit the snooze button twice. My husband lay there unfazed and tucked in like a warm burrito. Feet finally on the floor, I stood in a daze over the coffee pot and my lazy dog, debating the level of commitment I had to my 50 year old birthday health and fitness goal this particular day. Coaching & caffeinating myself thru motivation then into movement. Now I’m finally dressed and in my car headed 60 mph towards something really really hard and completely the opposite of laying in my cozy bed. But why?

Here is my theory- just like the people I surround myself with professionally, I spend a big part of my day empowering others. We dedicate our lives to creating experiences and opportunities for people to build their best bodies and best lives. We are dreamers, builders and DOERS in the business of humans. But sometimes we too forget to pause and think deeper about our own power source process, that is until it starts to feel like the battery is running low! While coaching others there tends to be a lot of dialogue around challenges, change, fears, excuses and ultimately finding power in solutions and opportunities. All of this power is inside each one of us, it just needs to be accessed. Over the course of my 50 years breathing, I know for there’s been plenty of times where I was completely drowning and trapped in my environment, in relationships and even within the layers of myself that simply would not let me breathe. I had surrendered my power to others and allowed life circumstances to negatively influence my actions. When I strayed down this powerless mindset path the wheels fell off the bus fast! So I believe that for me the ONLY way is to exercise my brain and body power muscles daily. In big and small decisions, in all the places I go and all the things I do, I choose to be aware and make choices that test and  strengthen my own personal power. I surround myself with others who help me be my best self by supporting my life’s purpose, have shared values and reciprocate a positive energy charge that serves us both. This is the Influence I want in my life.  

We know leaders have power. They have their own internal power flame that is directed by their unique value system and life’s purpose. That power is what drives them daily. But the second power of leadership actually comes from all of US and is based on the fuel WE provide to their flame. Knowing that not all leaders are good nor do we resonate with all leader’s convictions, it is up to us to only fuel the power of leaders we believe in. It is also up to us to express our own life leadership by taking responsibility for our actions, choices and flexing our mind & body power muscles daily in the direction that we believe in. Never underestimate the impact you are having daily role modeling and influencing others. Lead and use your daily choices and actions to make a statement to yourself and to the world that you are STRONG. Join me in owning that strength and flexing our freedom today and every damn day.

#togtherwerise #freetobeme #leadbyexample