Are you giving away your power?

Are you giving away your power?

Very often emotions affect our organs, which indirectly affects our health. This article gives us some great recommendations on the way to improve our emotional health.

10 Ways you would possibly be giving people an excessive amount of Power over Your Life Without Even Realising it.

A few years ago, I noted a struggle that most mentally strong people seem to be able to relate to most, and that is that mentally strong people don’t make their power known. It’s something we all do sometimes. Maybe you let your co-worker’s bad mood ruin your day or perhaps you let someone’s criticism damage your self-image.

Any time you permit someone to possess a negative influence over the way you’re thinking, feeling, or behaving, you give them power over your life. It will rob you of the mental strength that you would like to possess in order to succeed in your greatest potential.

Sometimes, it can be obvious when you give away your power. Losing your cool and doing something you regret could be a prime example. But it is also possible to give up your power in additional subtle ways. You may not even realise that you’re doing it.

Here are 10 ways you would possibly be freely giving away your personal power without even realising it:

1. You admit defeat to guilt trips. If you alter your behaviour because someone tugs at your heartstrings, you give that individual power over you. Speak up, keep on with your word, and do not give up even when someone tries to play on your emotions.

2. You permit someone else’s opinion of you to dictate your self-worth. Some people won’t like your choices and you do not need to let their opinions affect how you are feeling about yourself. However, feeling bad about yourself is supported by what someone says or how that person feels about you gives that person an excessive amount of power over you.

3. You do not establish healthy boundaries. You decide whom to permit into your life. If you grow resentful of individuals who take up an excessive amount of your energy, it is a sign you are not setting clear boundaries. Establish clear physical, emotional, and financial boundaries.

4. You complain about all the items you’ve got to try to do, like your to-do list. You also get to decide on WHAT to try and WHEN. You are not forced to travel to someone, see the doctor, or attend a family gathering. There will be consequences if you do not do a number of those things, but they’re still choices.

5. You hold grudges. A grudge won’t diminish the opposite person’s life, but it can wreak havoc on your own. Holding on to anger from the past allows it to occupy space in your life. That’s to not say you would like to permit toxic people into your life–you shouldn’t. Just don’t waste your mental resources on them.

6. You modify your goals because you were rejected. Whether you were passed up for a promotion or turned down for a collaborative project, don’t quit. Simply because people don’t recognise your potential does not imply you cannot succeed.

7. You put great effort into proving someone wrong. When someone doubts you, it may be tempting to focus on proving them wrong. Ensure your purpose is about your desire to succeed, not about convincing people that you’re more valuable than they gave you credit for.

8. You let others bring out the worst in you. You’re going to run into people that have the power to bring out the worst in you. These individuals may provoke you to mention things you regret or pressure you to try things you wouldn’t normally do. Stay faithful to your values and refuse to let others have a negative influence over you.

9. You invest time into talking about those that you do not like. Every minute you spend wondering about someone you do not like or complaining about someone you do not want to be around is 60 more seconds you give that person. Dwelling on negative people allows them power over your mind.

10. You try hard to avoid criticism. Feedback from others may be instrumental in helping you become your best. If you place vast value on other people’s input, however, you will avoid doing anything that would result in criticism. It’s impossible to measure your best life when you’re focused on pleasing people.

About Nicolette Meyer

Nicolette is a Registered Psychological Counsellor and life coach in Private Practice in Ballito, KZN. I do work with children, adolescents and adults. My aim is to help people to overcome their problems and cope with tough situations by providing a safe, nurturing, confidential and encouraging environment in which to contemplate their emotional state.

My job is to assist people by offering them a structured and focused way of addressing their problems.

I do family therapy, couples therapy, one-to-one meetings and all avenues of Employee Wellness, in which I help people with all kinds of difficulties, from post-traumatic stress to relationship problems.

I help people to explore feelings and emotions that are often related to their experiences. This allows my clients to reflect on what is happening to them and consider alternative ways of doing things.

I work in a confidential, relaxed setting and listen attentively to my clients. The aim is reduce their confusion and enable them to cope with challenges or to make positive changes in their life where necessary.

www.lifepsyche.co.za | 081 028 1258