It comes as a surprise really, that women today are still sitting around and waiting for life to begin.
Findings of a global research commissioned by Unilever's haircare brand, Sunsilk, revealed that 92 percent of females aged 19 to 29 believe they have the power to shape their own lives, while 95 percent are willing to voice their opinions to provoke change.
AsiaOne asks some women whether they believe they have the power to change their lives and what they have done to live life to the fullest.
"If I had more money, I would be able to make the most of my life, but that doesn't mean that I'm not living it to the fullest." - Ms Eunice Quek, Undergraduate, 22
"You only have one life, and you should live it the way you want it. Why wait?" - Ms Joyce Lee, Sales executive, 24
"Live life the way you want it to be and it shall be what you perceive." - Ms Angel Kok, Nurse, 26
"We don't wait for opportunities, I believe that we make them. So yes, I have the power to change my life." - Ms Jayne Tham, Student, 19
"As relationships and working environments are no longer male dominant, women are confident of taking charge of their lives." - Ms Kim Loon, Asset manager, 35
"I believe that part of our life is already planned and it is up to the individual to make the best of what she has and strive for what she wants. as the saying goes: our fate lies in our hands." - Ms Magdalene Tan, PR consultant, 28
"I'm doing what my heart desires, working towards my aims and goals regardless of any obstacles or rejections in any situations." - Ms Bernice Quay, Training Leader, 21
"I haven't done much to change things in my life - I'm happy with it. But I guess I learnt to say no to people who make me feel uncomfortable." - Ms Goh Shi Ting, Graduate, 23
"After going overseas and expanding my horizons,I realize the world is bigger than Singapore!" - Charlene Poon, Undergraduate, 22
But the same research also showed that three quarters of Singaporean women in their 20s feel that they are not living life to the fullest. Nearly two-thirds believe that life is about tomorrow, not today.
The survey was conducted in January this year through an AC Nielson poll of 300 women aged between 19 and 40 years old.
But the perception of empowerment does not appear to be a problem among most women.
So why are our womenfolk holding back on leading a full life?
Interestingly, it is the women who are their own worst enemies. More than 60 per cent of those surveyed said they tended to think too much and lack confidence in seizing opportunities that help them live life to the fullest.
58 percent expressed insecurity about their own abilities as one of the barriers to having full control of their lives.
Bernadette, a senior manager in her mid-30s, expressed similar sentiments.
She said: "Everyone has control of their own life. As the saying goes, it is what they make of it that counts.
"But having said that, there is only a certain extent one can go. For example, you can say, 'I want to be a billionaire', but realistically, it's going to be difficult.
She also added: "There's so much that I want to do, but there is only so much time I can spare have. For example, I want to go for a three-month break and REALLY relax and enjoy life. But, in this modern society, we can't afford that."
In response to the results of the survey, Sunsilk is launching an island-wide campaign to urge young women to take charge of their life.
The campaign's Lifejackers initiative invites 20s-something females to write in with their life-changing ambitions from now till August 2008 through www.gangofgirls.com.
The most interesting entries will stand a chance to see their dream come true and have their experiences captured on video which will then be posted on the above site.
To further encourage women in Singapore to seize the day and live life to the fullest, Sunsilk has also launched a international campaign, Life Can't Wait, with local celebrity Joanne Peh as Singapore's ambassador.
