Dr. Susan Biali

A friend mentioned to me the other day that someone had brought my name up, in conversation, and had commented that I was a “powerful” woman.  When she told me that, it caught me off guard.  I really didn’t know what to say.  I laughed and made a quick joke, but sat thinking about it, afterwards. Powerful?  Inspirational, or “powerfully candid” maybe (I’ve gotten used to those), but I’ve never really considered myself to be powerful. 

I was still thinking about it, yesterday, when someone from Power Women Magazine invited  me to connect with them on Linked In (FYI I’m totally open to invitations on Linked In – if you’re not in my network already, I’d love it if you would invite me into yours! You can find my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbiali).  Intrigued by the coincidence, I checked out their website, www.thepowerwomenmagazine.co.cc, and discovered a fabulous article which perfectly and powerfully described eight essential qualities (and behaviors) which will give a woman her greatest power.

Here are the eight qualities (in bold), with my own comments underneath:

1) Gives it all she’s got
How do you live your life? Are you going for your dreams, or what you believe in, or care most about, with everything you’ve got?  At the end of the day, will you be able to rest, peaceful and assured, because you’ve done everything that you can?

2) Never gives up
When you try something new, do you turn around and run at the first obstacle or failure?  Or do you know, as all powerful people do, that truly worthwhile success always lies on the other sides of all kinds of difficulties and roadblocks.  As they say in the 12 step groups: “Don’t give up before the miracle.”  You never know when it’s waiting, just around the corner.

3) Speaks her mind
Do you say what you really think?  Do you comment on what you see around you, even if others might not like to hear it?  Do you speak up for yourself?  This is one can be the toughest of all.

4) Respects herself and others
The “power women” article points out that a powerful woman continually strives to respect herself, and doesn’t betray her beliefs or best interests in order to please others.  That said, a powerful woman also always deeply respects the rights and opinions of others, even if she doesn’t necessarily agree with them.

5) Stands up for what she believes in
If other people don’t agree with your beliefs, do you maintain your position, or do you back down to keep the peace?  Certainly there are times when we must pick our battles – some simply aren’t worth it, or really aren’t a big deal -  but when it comes down to it, being authentic and an example to others (as powerful women are) can make you a light in a dark world, no matter what others may think.

6) Inspires herself and others
The last five points, if you live them, will naturally cause you to inspire others to be their best selves, too.  Perhaps that’s what so powerful about a powerful woman – her power is both inspiring and contagious.  Use everything that you’ll learned and experienced, particularly the tough stuff, to lift others up and encourage them to go higher.

7) Shares her power willingly
This is a lesson I began to learn last year.  Everywhere I turned, I suddenly found myself surrounded by groups of powerful women (women far more powerful than I), and noticed one thing that they all seemed to be doing: each was constantly trying to discover how she might be of service to others.  Powerful women share.  This one doesn’t come to me that easily, but since I’ve started making it a focus, I can’t believe the amazing things that have happened in my life.

8) Makes a difference in the lives of others
Ah – there it is.  If you understand the power of a woman that way, you can see that you don’t need to be in the media, or in politics, or another sphere of typical “influence” to be powerful.  Even if the only people whose lives you touch are your own children, you are still a powerful woman.  Particularly if you teach your children by your actions and example, as described in the first seven qualities listed.  On top of that, the effects of your loving, powerful example may reverberate for generations.

Susan Biali, MD is an internationally recognized wellness expert, life coach, speaker, author and flamenco dancer, dedicated to helping people balance their lives and live their dreams.  Dr. Biali has appeared on MSNBC and The Good Life Network, as well as in Self, Fitness, and Hello! magazines, and is the medical commentator for the Canadian national television program The Daily.  She speaks nationally and internationally, and regularly appears in newspaper, radio, television and internet media across North America.  Dr. Biali, who has an additional degree in Dietetics (nutrition), is also an expert for HealthyCanada.com. She is the author of the upcoming book Your Prescription for Life! Seven Steps to Extraordinary Health& Happiness. www.susanbiali.com

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