Stop Empowering Women

Have you ever heard the words “empowerment” and “INpowerment” and wondered what they really mean? Let’s dive into these concepts and see why INpowerment is the key to unlocking your true potential and finding your True North, while empowerment just doesn’t cut it.

Why Empowerment Doesn't Serve Us

Empowerment is a term you might hear a lot, especially when people talk about gaining strength and confidence. According to the Oxford Dictionary, both the empowerment definition and empower definition means “authority or power given to someone to do something.” This definition highlights a critical aspect of empowerment: it often involves external support. Whether through education, resources, or advocacy, empowerment typically focuses on providing individuals with the tools and opportunities they need to improve their lives and exert influence over their circumstances.

But here’s the thing: empowerment relies on external sources. It’s about someone else giving you the power or authority to do something. This means that your ability to succeed depends on others providing you with what you need. While empowerment can help you in the short term, it doesn’t build lasting strength or independence.

empowerment noun
/ɪmˈpaʊəmənt/
/ɪmˈpaʊərmənt/

1) the act of giving somebody more control over their own life or the situation they are in

2) (formal) the act of giving somebody the power or authority to do something

INpowerment noun
/ɪnˈpaʊəmənt/
/ɪnˈpaʊərmənt/

1) The act of having control over your own life or the situation you're in.

2) (formal) the act of giving yourself your own power or your own authority to do something

Term coined by Compass Rosed International.

empowerment noun
/ɪmˈpaʊəmənt/
/ɪmˈpaʊərmənt/

1) the act of giving somebody more control over their own life or the situation they are in

2) (formal) the act of giving somebody the power or authority to do something

INpowerment noun
/ɪnˈpaʊəmənt/
/ɪnˈpaʊərmənt/

A term coined by Compass Rosed International;
1) The act of having control over your own life or the situation you're in.

2) (formal) the act of giving yourself your own power or your own authority to do something

Empowerment Meaning & Examples:

Education: Sure, getting access to education and learning new skills is great, but what happens when those opportunities aren’t available?
Support: Having someone believe in you and support your dreams is wonderful, but what if that support disappears?
Opportunities: Overcoming challenges with the help of a strong support system is amazing, but what if those resources are taken away?

Empowerment Synonym: mandate, authorization, ordering, commanding.

Empower Synonym: enable, authorize, allow, permit.

Relying on external factors means your power can be taken away just as easily as it’s given. This is why empowerment ultimately doesn’t serve us. We need something more sustainable, something that truly comes from within.

Embrace INpowerment

INpowerment is all about finding and using your inner strength, and is a term coined by Compass Rose International. Unlike empowerment, which relies on external help, INpowerment focuses on your own abilities, self-awareness, and motivation. It’s about discovering what makes you unique and powerful from the inside out. Studies show that 85% of girls feel more confident and self-assured when they focus on their inner strengths and personal growth.

Key Elements of INpowerment:

Inner Strength: Believing in yourself and knowing you have the resilience to face any challenge.
Self-Awareness: Understanding your values, strengths, and what makes you special. Self-awareness definition is conscious knowledge of one’s own character, feelings, motives, and desires.
Intrinsic Motivation: Finding the drive to succeed from within, not just from external rewards.
Personal Growth: Always striving to learn more about yourself and improve. Personal growth goals and personal growth examples might include career, relationships, and self-care. Teen girls who practice self-awareness and self-care report a 30% increase in resilience when facing challenges.
Holistic Well-Being: Taking care of your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Why INpowerment is the Real Deal

Lasting Change: When you tap into your inner strength, the changes you make are more likely to stick because they come from within. You’re not dependent on what others give you.
True Motivation: You’re driven by your own passions and desires, not just what others expect from you. Girls who are driven by intrinsic motivation are 40% more likely to achieve their goals compared to those who rely on external validation.
Balance and Fulfillment: Focusing on all aspects of your well-being helps you live a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Independence: You become more self-reliant and confident in your ability to handle whatever comes your way.
Authenticity: You discover and embrace your true self, which is the most empowering thing of all. Authenticity definition is the quality of being genuine or real.

Practical Tools and Daily Practices to Embody INpowerment

Daily Affirmations: Start your day with positive affirmations that reinforce your self-worth and inner strength. For example, “I am strong, capable, and resilient.”
Journaling: Spend a few minutes each day writing about your thoughts, feelings, and goals. This helps increase self-awareness and clarity. Check out our journaling notebook to get you started.
Mindfulness Meditation: Practice mindfulness to stay present and connected with your inner self. Apps like Headspace or Calm can guide you through simple meditation exercises.
Goal Setting: Set personal goals that align with your values and passions. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps and celebrate your progress. Download our free goal setting worksheet to get you started.
Self-Care Routine: Make time for activities that nourish your body and soul, such as exercise, reading, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.
Positive Influences: Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you. Join clubs or groups that share your interests and values.
Gratitude Practice: Each evening, write down three things you are grateful for. This helps shift your focus to the positive aspects of your life and boosts overall happiness.

How to Start Your INpowerment Journey

Believe in Yourself: Trust that you have what it takes to achieve your dreams.
Know Yourself: Spend time reflecting on your values, strengths, and passions.
Set Personal Goals: Focus on what truly matters to you and take small steps towards those goals.
Take Care of Yourself: Make time for self-care, whether it’s journaling, meditating, exercising, or simply relaxing.
Stay Positive: Surround yourself with positive influences and remember that setbacks are just part of the journey.

While the empowerment of women (or any gender) might sound appealing, it doesn’t give you the true, lasting power that INpowerment does. INpowerment is about realizing that the true power to shape your future is already within you. Embrace your inner strength, believe in yourself, and watch as you achieve amazing things. You’ve got this! 🌟

Compass Rose International uplifts young women vulnerable to child trafficking and mental health, providing tools for resilience, confidence, safety, and independence.

FOCUS AREAS

Child Trafficking

Child Marriage

Mental Health

Education

WHERE WE WORK

Colorado

Nepal

Our understanding of empowerment has been wrong for decades. Let's dive into these concepts and see why INpowerment is the key to unlocking true potential.