Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. ~Ambrose Redmoon
You know, I write the Monday Musings for you and for me. There are days when I can’t take another step on my journey unless I feed my soul yummy bits of inspiration that swirl around and help me feel powerful. Powerful- defined by me as the ability to get things done.
That sounds deceptively simple, I know. But it’s not, and that’s the problem, I think. Of course, you can get things done. I absolutely get things done. My days are full of activity- teaching, dinner, laundry, cleaning up, reading, writing this blog. Just like yours. If you want something done, I always say, ask a busy woman! Right? Can you imagine how different this world would be if a mother of 5 children (or more) ran the country? Total world organization with a smile!!
So, if you’re getting things done in your home or business, you’re definitely powerful. Powerful with a small p. The harder part is being powerful with a big P. As in POWERFUL! The difference lies in not so much in what we do, although that is important, but in how we do it. POWERFUL means you get your things done in your way.
Let me illustrate with a quick story. I’ve run my own conflict management company for over 18 years. My corporate clients naturally had a lot of influence on how I did things. In fact, I had to start drinking coffee because one of my manufacturing clients had a custom of coffee at every meeting. They just couldn’t start unless everyone had a cup. Crazy, yes, but true. I worked the conventional 9-6 for years because my clients did. One day five years ago I realized I liked getting to the office later, say 10:30. That gave me time to wake slowly, do some exercise and have a moment of peace before starting a pretty emotionally demanding work day.
Why didn’t I do it earlier? No good reason, except I felt powerless to change. I mean, what would busy clients say when they couldn’t get a 8 or 9 am meeting? Surely, they’d dump me for someone more ‘professional’. It just wasn’t done. Until I decided to do it anyway. I worried and fretted unnecessarily. I’m happy to report that no client canned me for my late start or even complained. I did get a lot of ‘wish I could do that’.
What I learned is that most of us are waiting for permission to do what we want, live the way we want. We’re socialized that way right from childhood. First from our parents. I didn’t move without my mother’s permission; she was strict! (That may be why I chose conflict as my life’s work 
Later, we look for permssion from our friends and peer groups at work. The whole fashion industry is based on permission. If it’s not in, you can’t wear it. It’s an unconscious need fueled by fear.The fear of being unloved. Fear of being different. Gosh, what would others think if you-gasp!- did your own thing?
As you begin this year, I’m challenging you to be POWERFUL. To do your own thing with your wedding business. Change your hours, the services, your marketing message so that they really reflect you and how you want to work and live. Give yourself permission to try, to fail, to learn and succeed.
I’d love to hear how you’re using your power and what you’re giving yourself permission to do so leave a comment, will ya?
