Member-only story
What is a Power Move? (with 14 examples)
A power move is NOT reasonable. And that’s the point.
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.
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.