“Whoa! What a Power Move.”
That’s what I found myself saying to a friend of mine semi-recently—after she shared some great news with me. At that moment, a big lightbulb popped on. Power Moves are these things we do—either internally or externally—that demonstrate how gutsy we really can be. They have always been a part of our lives. I just didn’t have a name for them yet.
After we celebrated her success over a coffee, I couldn’t stop thinking about Power Moves, how we all make them (at one time or another,) and how they contribute to the biggest changes in our lives and in our careers. It stuck with me so much, in fact, that I decided to write a book on it called—you guessed it—Power Moves.
What is a Power Move?
Power Moves are the moves that take us out of our comfort zone and push us forward. They’re those exhilarating first steps that allow us to make many more steps. Power Moves take you right out of your regularly-scheduled program.
I think that Power Moves are the key to real change. Obviously, I have a lot to say about Power Moves (like an entire book’s worth of things,) but I wanted to share a little for now.
So, when you’re ready to make your first Power Move, it doesn’t have to be something huge. Here are a few ways to make your own Power Moves—as soon as today.
Say No
Yep, you heard me right. Sometimes your greatest Power Move is going to be saying no. It’s saying no to things that don’t serve you—those that take away from your overall shine.
Obviously, we want to say yes to the things that might scare us a little—the things that push us forward to new heights. “No” is reserved for things like:
- Doing that extra favor, for the thousandth time, for a lazier coworker that is checked out
- Letting yourself be passed over for that promotion
- Unnecessary meetings that take away from your workday on a regular basis
- Constant after-hours emails that your boss sends without reason
- Ideas that go against your intrinsic values
In short, you will kind of “know” when to say no. It’ll manifest as a little pinprick in your gut, saying “this doesn’t feel right.”
Try saying no today.
Ask Questions When You’re Stuck
This one is pretty straightforward, but it can be really difficult to do in the moment. According to a study by Athena Health, up to 67 percent of work meetings are considered to failures by executives.
What does that mean? It means that long, boring meetings end in a large group of employees feeling unsure of their duties and responsibilities. The next time a meeting is ending—and this question is posed, “Is everybody clear?”—raise your hand. Ask questions about your responsibilities, the reasoning for the project, and the forecasted outcome.
Get clarity whenever and wherever you can.
Pro Tip: Ask Questions and ask them often. Do not, however, preface your question with weak phrases like “Maybe I missed this but…” or “This may be a dumb question, but…” Feel empowered to ask your questions.
Speak Up in a Meeting / Make Sure Your Voice is Heard
Just like asking questions whenever you need clarity, speaking up is also important—for a variety of reasons.
For one thing, speaking up shows leadership—that you are listening, thinking critically, and problem-solving as you navigate through your day.
If you have an idea, share it. If a certain project or practice goes against your values (or the values of the company) communicate that. If a coworker is making you uncomfortable, speak up.
Speaking up allows you to be seen, heard, and considered. Make sure to do it. Also, we promise it gets less scary the more you do it.
Manage Your Money
I hate to say it, but money is power. It’s not your only power—you have endless streams of power, but it’s undoubtedly a big source.
Taking real control of your finances is a major Power Move. I recently spoke with Ashley Feinsten Gerstley about the power of financial adulting. Managing your money—really keeping track of your finances—gives you a better look at how your money, your salary, and your benefits serve you. When we are taking stock of our finances in an honest and straightforward way, we get a better understanding of our worth.
Start managing your money. Create a breakdown of your expenses. Are you earning the salary you deserve? Is your time at work well-spent on building the skills and experience that you need to keep growing?
Money is the tip of the iceberg. When you start to pay attention to that, the real consideration of your career, your paycheck, and your trajectory will follow closely
Ditch Narratives That Don’t Serve You
This sounds easy, but it’s really tough.
You are familiar with the narratives that don’t serve you. They’re the narratives that make you feel less-than. It’s the voice you hear in your head when you’re struggling, down-trodden, and challenged. It’s that voice that tells you not to apply for that promotion because you “don’t have the experience.”
Ditch them.
Take a “Me” Day
Okay, I’m not urging everyone to take a day off work for the sake of taking a day off work. In fact, your “me” day can easily fall on a Saturday or Sunday. Regardless, if you’re feeling overly burned out, it might be time for a well-timed “me” day.
Your “me” day should include the things that make you feel good. It should include the things that expand your mind, your body, and your well-being.
What does the ideal “me” day look like to you?
Maybe it’s spending a lazy morning at the beach, going for a walk with your newest audiobook, and/or eating your favorite grilled cheese at lunch.
Take a “me” day to reset. Treat yo’self.
Chase Contentment, Not Happiness
Ah, the elusive feeling of happiness.
Happiness is a tough thing to chase, and yet we all seem to chase it so fervently that we miss it altogether.
Instead, chase contentment. Contentment, unlike happiness, is recognizing your achievements and the foundation you’ve built—and being at peace with it.
Contentment is not as elusive as “happiness.” It requires us to slow down, release negative judgment, and live in the moment.
