| When you feel empowered, you are centered, think | | | | Ask yourself, "Why am I feeling this way?" "Is it |
| clearly and make wise decisions. You are connected | | | | because he WANTS me to feel off-balanced?" and |
| to your core strength and face the world with | | | | "what does he/they have to gain?" |
| confidence. | | | | Power plays and manipulative tactics are common |
| But some will try to knock you off-center, so that | | | | strategies employed by abusers is to isolate the |
| you are no longer able to tap into your core. If they | | | | woman from people who support her and then |
| are successful, you will feel panicked, unable to think | | | | undermine her confidence so she is no longer able to |
| clearly, or misplaced guilt. It will be difficult to assert | | | | think and act effectively. At that point she is no |
| yourself and you may find yourself engaging in | | | | longer in control of her life. |
| unwarranted second-guessing or self-blame. | | | | Using manipulation and other psychological tactics to |
| When this happens, step back, look to the person or | | | | control another is not limited to perpetrators of |
| situation evoking these reactions and ask why does | | | | domestic violence. A fast talking mortgage broker |
| he want me to feel so weak? | | | | who makes you feel beholden to sign on the dotted |
| Chances are, that person WANTS you to feel that | | | | line before you can properly analyze the deal is also |
| way. They want to disable your ability to think | | | | engaging in a power play. |
| rationally and act effectively. | | | | But a young woman on a date who is clearly feeling |
| If they are able to knock you off-center, they can | | | | uncomfortable, but unable to assert her desire to |
| get something from you that you would not agree | | | | leave may be on the receiving end of a power play. |
| to if you were able to function normally. | | | | If you find yourself thrown off center, reach out to |
| Consider your inability to function properly as a | | | | trusted friends, family, and advisors with whom you |
| warning that you are being manipulated into an action | | | | can describe your situation. You will receive support |
| that works against your self-interest or even your | | | | to help you take back your personal power. |
| safety. You are on the wrong end of a power play. | | | | |