A power move is NOT reasonable. And that?s the point.
photo: Caroline Hernandez for Unsplash
In a previous article where I described how I dug myself out of a horribly scary 9-month unemployment streak, I mentioned executing a ?power move.?
A power move is used in a situation where you?re out of options. The power move has you doing something that seems crazy, but helps you bypass ?improving? and takes you straight to evolving.
A power move is NOT reasonable. And that?s the point.
A power move is NOT more of what you?ve already been doing, as in, applying for jobs with more focus or frequency. A power move is NOT rewriting your cover letter and tweaking your resume again. A power move is selling your old engagement ring to hire a business coach, taking a temporary job at the cafe around the corner, and starting your own business.
A power move says to your circumstances: You will NOT swing me by the tail anymore.
photo: Vasile Stancu for Unsplash
All your reasons, and quixotic thinking, and preferred-method-of-doing things got you here. And ?HERE? has you realizing a few things:
- Uncreative or anemic efforts produced the place you?re in.
- You?ve let your pride call the shots, and you haven?t been honest with yourself/others.
- No one?s going to rescue you. You?re going to have to do that.
- You?re out of time.
Forgive yourself and realize: It?s time to do things differently.
A power move requires that you reframe how you?ve been thinking about the (probably obvious) solution that you?ve been rejecting.
Reframing means: Saying yes to that solution on your terms, with a new attitude, and probably with a time frame in mind.
Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash
EXAMPLES OF POWER MOVES:
- Getting a second job at a cafe, retail or grocery store for extra income while you build your business.
- Moving in with your sister for the next year to save money and pay off your credit card debt, with the trade that you?ll be her resident babysitter two nights a week.
- Selling the engagement/wedding ring from the person you are no longer engaged or married to pay for a dating coach, gym membership, and sexy new wardrobe.
- Moving to a new city before you have a job there and creating an interview and networking schedule Monday ? Saturday with the aim to get hired and settled in to your new home within 6 weeks.
- Taking your kid out of the school that?s not working for them and explore both montessori and continuation schools.
- Going to an AA, OA, NA, SAA meeting to get a handle on your issue even if you don?t feel you?re an addict.
- Spending more money on what you really want instead of going the cheap-o route again.
- Hiring a coach/therapist/trainer who will know what to do with your situation and give you action steps to take, instead of struggling on alone.
- Telling your family you?re not coming for Christmas (you?ve got your reasons).
- Rescuing the dog at the shelter you can?t stop thinking about even though ?taking on more responsibilities? doesn?t make sense, especially after the loss you?ve just been through.
- Coming out to your family. Enough said.
- Telling the truth about how you really feel without editing or downplaying.
- Breaking off the engagement until you get (and complete) couples counseling.
- Laying down an ultimatum (and letting the cards fall where they may).
Notice I didn?t say, Look in the mirror and tell yourself you?re beautiful three times. I didn?t say ?try to feel better about your situation? or read a money book or do more yoga.
A power move requires you taking one big ass action that you?ve been shrinking back from and do it without complaining and whining. Own it, be present for it, be proud of yourself, and make no apologies.
Graphic: Stephanie St.Claire (author)
POWER MOVE FROM MY OWN LIFE:
Instead of continuing in a dead-end office job which kept me broke and barely making it, I put myself through bartending school, got a job working at a restaurant in Hell?s Kitchen where I worked till 4 a.m. most nights, volunteered at a self-development center as a coach during the day, and launched my consulting business (all at the same time). I had a big story about how I was 40! And a mother of 3 children! Be a bartender? How could I do this? And then I got over it and did the thing that helped me out of the black hole.
And P.S., I was once a suburban housewife with no degree or career path, who used to SEW MY OWN JUMPER DRESSES, PEOPLE, and had no clue how to build a business. I busted out power move after power move to get here, so trust me, you have what it takes.
The world (but mostly you) needs to know you?ve got a little crazy in you.
Come visit me at stephaniestclaire.com and tell me about the power move you *know* you need to make.
You might also like:
The Bad Ass Broad
She?s a sinner with the heart of a saint.
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3 Decisions That Saved Me in New York
I bypassed improving and went straight to evolving.
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Stephanie St.Claire is a writer and personal advisor based in Orange County, California. Her work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Fast Company, Inc., Thought Catalogue, Greatist, Citizens of Culture, Mind Body Green and has been named one of Medium?s Top 100 Writers. She?s on Instagram and is the author of 11 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My Business.
Visit her website: stephaniestclaire.comWant Steph?s writing delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up.
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