A huge theme has been coming up for my clients these past weeks, and it has to do with power. It’s an evident truth that human beings pack a lot of power. And we do. Look what humans have done collectively and individually over the millennia.
I’m sure you’ve experienced your own power before as well. But where does it go when it counts, when you really need it in your business?
This came into a focus when a client of mine reported back from a conference she’d been at, “The people who were showing up really powerfully didn’t seem to be spiritual. And the ones who were showing up as spiritual didn’t seem to be that powerful. What gives?”
Your business needs you to express and channel power. Without power you go nowhere, the lights remain dark, and the heat off. Plants don’t grow without power, the wind doesn’t blow without power.
You have an imperative to access your power.
Okay, Fine, What Now?
Accessing power is perhaps a bit grand to aim for within the scope of a simple article, but let me give you some insights.
First Power Insight: It’s Not Your Power
Picture yourself as a lamp. You’re all plugged in, ready to go, someone turns your switch (don’t go there, keep it clean, people) and whoosh, you flood the room with your light.
The power that enabled all that to happen? It came out of a wall. It came from being plugged-in, connected. And more than that, it also came from being “turned on” (simmer down).
I think you’re making the connection, so to speak. One of the reasons I support you in connecting to your heart.
What if you stopped trying to “be powerful?” Instead try allowing power to move through you. Hint: this takes being smaller and more humble. Strange, but it’s more effective this way.
Second Power Insight: Power Feels Different Depending On Where You Are
I was standing in front of an audience giving my all. I felt great, I felt solid, I could feel the power coming through. And yet I also felt tender.
I know from what folks have reported back to me that it was a “powerful” presentation. Out of that time came strategic alliances, clients, all kinds of connections.
And inside I felt tender. Power feels powerful to those on the receiving end. When you are feeling and expressing your power, you might feel… vulnerable… tender… open.
The secret of vulnerability is letting yourself access that tenderness so the power can keep flowing. When you try to feel invulnerable inside you, that will shut down your flow of power.
Third Power Insight: There Are Different Kinds of Power
The world’s spiritual paths have defined many different kinds of power. There is the power to grow, the power to destroy, the power to overcome, the power to do, the power to withstand opposition, and on and on.
Each of these is a different flavor of power. If you lump them all together, you can really trip yourself up.
Instead, in any moment when you’re needing power, ask your heart, what kind of power is called for here? Sometimes the power to destroy is absolutely healthy and appropriate, such as when weeding your garden or your business. If you access the true power to destroy you can feel the love and clarity that comes with it, even as it’s so strong.
Now Go and Express Your Power
If you’re willing, take a few minutes now and face your business with your heart. Where do you feel a lack of power? Can you connect with your own tenderness and vulnerability? Can you discern what kind of power is called for?
Can you let it through?
Where do you lose touch with power in your business? And what kind of power can you discern is actually needed there? Share, please. Tell me about it below in the comments.
p.s. Money and Power, Power and Money
The biggest issue most business owners don’t face is…. (drum roll, please) MONEY! Do you feel clean, clear, unburdened by your relationship to money? Can you price yourself easily? Can you face debt without shame? Can you avoid spending money in crazy ways when it does come in?
Are you profitable?
Part of the problem could be how you are running your business… and if you’re honest with yourself, does any of it have to do with your relationship to money? And, incidentally, to power?
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15 Responses
The most significant area where I’ve been developing my ‘power muscle’ is that of Saying No. It feels like at this stage of my business, I literally have to say “no” to an opportunity or request 2, 3, 5 times a day. That’s been really hard at times – the “what if they don’t like me?” voice kicks in and I can feel ungenerous. I have to remind myself that there are only so many hours in the day and I only have so much energy – and that there are other powers that be that will ensure that person gets what they need.
Where I really notice the power that you speak about so beautifully is when giving talks, being with clients, leading programmes. I always do a little prayer (e.g. in the venue’s toilet!) before hand, asking: “Please speak through me; let this person have what they need”. Just as you say, the power comes from somewhere else and I’m a vessel for that.
Thanks for focusing on topics which so rarely show up on ‘business blogs’ 🙂
With love and gratitude
Corrina
Hi Mark,
Power — one of my favorite topics.
As young children, we’re encouraged to give away our internal power or flame. People feel weak in all areas of life – business just mirrors the other parts — because they want it back and don’t know how to do so.
I seem to say this wherever I comment – our school system leaves folks feeling weak. It prepares folks to work in modern day factories and take the proceeds of that work and spend it in windowless malls.
The struggle of most business owners is the struggle to reconnect with their power.
Great article! Giulietta
Thank you for this, Mark. I have long had an issue with “power” that I’ve only in the last few years really become conscious of, and it shows up around owning my own power and reacting to others because of how they wield theirs.
The 3rd insight around different types of power is going to be very helpful for me to tease this apart. I’ve usually equated power with force or manipulation. As a parent of a highly sensitive, bright and strong-willed 5-year old, I have become very aware of the delicate balance between how I wield parental power in a partnership way that gets me what I want and need for myself, our household and our son’s well-being, yet allows him the room to grow and express himself fully.
As I read, what came to mind was the power a martial artist has when grounded (as does an oak tree) to simply move with the destructive force in a way that does not create personal damage or conflict. Very spiritual, and a very different take for me.
Hi Sherrill,
I’m highly sensitive. So are most of my children. It makes parenting very, very interestingm to say the least!
What has helped me parent (and live!) with greater heart and wisdom around sensitivity is the incredible work of Dr. Gordon Neufeld. He talks exactly about what you describe in your blog post. I can’t say enough good things about the wisdom and approach of Dr. Neufeld – I highly recommend it!
http://www.gordonneufeld.com/
P.S. – His work helps parents keep their children’s hearts soft, in the same way Mark helps us keep our hearts soft in business…
Warmly, Karly
Thanks, Karly – I’ll definitely check out his work!
Hi Karly- thank you for the kind words and for posting the link. Very interesting.
Hi Sherrill- yup, that’s a big one. That power can be differentiated is such a critical insight.
I love what you’ve said here about getting clear on the kind of power that I’m most lacking. This is opening up something for me in this arena that apparently I had shut down pretty tightly. I think all the trendy buzz I’ve hear about “giving away our power” in the past years has jaded me or given me the impression that it was all about boundaries. …but now I’m hearing that it’s more than that and I like what I’m hearing.
Today I need the power of connection. I’m not sure how this will ultimately flow through me (i.e., be received) in the broader sense, but I do know what I’ll do to connect with the power of connection quite specifically throughout the rest of my day.
Thanks for helping me to break down this looming sense of disconnect in a way that helps me to feel empowered to do something about it!
You are so welcome, Lydia.
I loved this, Mark. I appreciate your sharing how power and vulnerability are intertwined, as that has also been my experience. For a time, I felt like I was doing something “wrong” when I felt that paradox of power arising from tenderness. Thank you for normalizing this for me.
One of the things I love about your work is that you acknowledge the importance of context, that there isn’t one right answer, but that “right” answers (wisdom) arise from the heart. What came to mind when reading your post is “There is a season for everything, for everything under the sun…”
For me, true power comes from love. Love comes from understanding. Understanding comes from deep listening. I’ll be reflecting on your question, What kind of power is called for here? in my deep listening this week.
Thank you for your excellent, thoughtful work. When I read your blog posts, I feel encouraged, inspired and supported (by the greater community here.) It helps keeps my heart alive in this loopy gig called business.
Warmly, Karly
So glad to hear this, Karly! Thank you.
Power as you have stated above is one great thing that one must consider. Power of the body and the power of the mind is a great factor for one’s success. This two must always come along the way.
Excellently written Mark! I agree to all that you
hello sir
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For me, the challenge seems to be about how to put it all together sometimes. If a vein of work or an approach is proving unsuccessful, to then decide where to look next for the right kind of clients and the right kind of work. If my business isn’t ultimately sufficiently profitable to meet my needs then it isn’t MY business.