Let Go to Level Up: How Surrendering Control Unlocks Your True Power
Have you ever held on so tightly to something that you felt drained, yet still stuck?
There’s a difference between force and power. In terms of people, "force" refers to the act of exerting physical pressure or dominance to achieve a result, often through coercion or intimidation, while "power" represents the ability to influence or affect others through persuasion, charisma, or a strong internal presence, often with a more sustainable and positive impact; essentially, force is external pressure while power is internal influence.
I liken the idea of force to the “hustle culture” where working excessively long hours and prioritizing professional success above personal well-being is a flex. Having ambitions and goals is great unless you are so focused on a particular outcome that you won’t stop until you achieve that specific thing; even at the cost of everything else.
Power on the other hand is the power that comes from within, like confidence, charisma, expertise, or strong personal values, which allows someone to persuade and motivate others without needing to exert overt pressure.
When we rely on force, we push harder, work longer, and often ignore the warning signs our mind and body are giving us. It's the energy of "just one more hour," "one more email," "one more client." It's exhausting, depleting, and unsustainable. Force keeps us in survival mode, constantly striving yet rarely arriving. I have forced myself to go, go, go. Always achieving, always going after the next job, the next promotion, the next level. Never taking the time to celebrate my arrival at each milestone. And it was exhausting.
Power, however, feels different. Power is rooted in presence, alignment, and clarity. It's the ability to walk into a room and command attention without saying a word. It's trusting yourself enough to know when to act and when to step back. Power requires less effort because it's built on inner strength rather than outward struggle.
So how do you shift from force to power?
Get Clear on Your 'Why': When you're clear about your purpose and values, decisions become easier. You don't have to force outcomes; you attract the right opportunities because you radiate authenticity and alignment.
Cultivate Stillness: Power thrives in presence. Taking time to slow down, breathe, and reflect allows you to act from a place of grounded confidence instead of frantic energy.
Trust Your Inner Knowing: Force is often driven by fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of being left behind. Power, on the other hand, stems from trust. Trusting yourself, your instincts, and your ability to navigate challenges puts you in a position of strength.
Release Control: Force is obsessed with controlling outcomes. Power is knowing you can influence outcomes without gripping them too tightly. It’s understanding that some doors are meant to close so better ones can open.
If you’ve been grinding, hustling, and pushing without seeing results, it may be time to stop forcing and start stepping into your power. The most magnetic, successful, and fulfilled people aren’t the ones working the hardest—they’re the ones aligned with their truth, confident in their abilities, and willing to let go of what’s not meant for them.
You don’t have to push so hard. There’s a better way—and it starts with reclaiming your power.