Beyonce Knowles believes she is a "powerful" woman.

The "Run The World (Girls)" chart-topper has finally fulfilled her life-long ambition to become a symbol of success and empowerment for ladies across the globe, but still finds it difficult to comprehend how much influence she has.

Speaking to the new issue of GQ, she mused, "When I was writing the Destiny's Child songs, it was a big thing to be that young and taking control. And the label at the time didn't know that we were going to be that successful, so they gave us all control. And I got used to it. It is my goal in life to be that example. I now know that, yes, I am powerful. I'm more powerful than my mind can even digest and understand."

The 31-year-old R&B superstar sacrificed her childhood to make it in the music industry after forming the original Destiny's Child line-up aged just eight, and believes she is now perfectly entitled to sit back and enjoy her success:

"I worked so hard during my childhood to meet this goal: by the time I was 30 years old, I could do what I want. I've reached that. I feel very fortunate to be in that position. But I've sacrificed a lot of things, and I've worked harder than probably anyone I know in the music industry. So I just have to remind myself that I deserve it."

Beyonce also says having her first child, daughter Blue Ivy, with her husband Jay-Z last January gave her a new purpose in life. "I love my job, but it's more than that; I need it. Because before I gave birth, it was the only time in my life, all throughout my life, that I was lost," she explained.