Summarize this article:

Becoming powerful will come more naturally if you put yourself into a position that also feels natural. Find something you feel comfortable doing, then insert yourself into the middle of the field and work your way to power from there.  In particular, you should try putting yourself into leadership roles that you feel comfortable maintaining, even if those roles aren't directly related to the field you want to become powerful in. For instance, you might lead a small group at your church even though you want to become powerful at the office. By putting yourself into positions of authority, you can develop a more powerful personality. That personality can then carry over into other areas of your life. You've probably experienced moments of power in your past, even if they seem minor when compared to the sort of power you're seeking now. When you feel your resolve starting to shake, recall these past moments and spend some time meditating on the sensation of power they once evoked. The moments you recall can deal with virtually any aspect of life. For example, you might choose a notable academic accomplishment, like graduating with honors, or even a personal one, like successfully quitting smoking. Regardless of what you choose, the point is to focus on the sensation of being powerful rather than on the actual event itself. While it isn't always true, powerful people tend to use expansive body language that takes up more space. This sort of body language can convey confidence to other people, which may make them view you as a more powerful person.  Expansive body language can include crossing your arms, crossing your legs so that the knee sticks out, stretching out your legs so that they extend beyond the edge of the chair, or holding your hands to your hips. In contrast, you demonstrate constricted posture when you do things like folding your legs beneath your chair, dropping your shoulders, or holding your hands to your sides. Doing so will require you to demonstrate fearlessness and a considerable amount of self-confidence. If you're waiting until you have the power to back your claims, you'll probably be waiting indefinitely. Don't be afraid of making changes or taking risks, and even if you are afraid, you should act as though you aren't. Power works in a cycle. When others view you as being powerful, they will naturally treat you like you're a powerful person, even to the extent of granting you power you didn't have before. Know what you want and go after it, regardless of whether others agree or not. To the same end, never pursue a course of action simply because it's the popular thing to do. When pursuing your own path, don't constantly broadcast it. Doing so makes it appear as though you're seeking approval, which puts you in a less powerful position than the others you seek it from. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and break a few minor rules or social conventions. Innovation often requires a leap of faith. Moreover, tactfully violating a minor convention can also suggest to others that you are a powerful enough person to get away with doing so. The key is understanding which rules need to be kept and which can be broken. There is no single way to define which is which since each set of circumstances can vary drastically, but as a general rule, only break a rule that needs to be broken. Look for areas that could be improved upon if the current rules were stretched a bit and see what you can do to break free of unnecessary restrictions. When things go wrong, don't point fingers or spend time dwelling on the mistakes that were made in the past. Instead, accept responsibility for correcting the mistake in the present, and make the most out of a bad situation. Failure is a part of everyone's life story, and powerful people aren't afraid of admitting to that. The key is accepting it and proactively working to correct it. Instead of discussing who has the most fault in a situation, you can demonstrate more power by replying with a simple, "I'll take care of this." This includes both your physical and mental well-being. If you're not at your best, you won't give off a very powerful presence.  Taking care of your physical health is a straightforward matter. Eat well, exercise enough to stay in shape, and get the sleep your body needs to function. Taking care of your mental and emotional health can be trickier, but in general, you should take time to relax and reconnect with the people and things that are important to you. Don't get so caught up in chasing power that you let the quest consume you.
Find the right role. Meditate on past sources of power. Adopt a powerful posture. Act powerful before becoming powerful. Stay true to your own vision. Break a few rules. Shoulder responsibility. Pay attention to your own well-being.