You Can Learn to be Assertive
Are you tired of letting others take advantage of you? It could happen at work or when someone cuts in front of you at the supermarket. You’re irritated, but don’t say anything – and the anger and frustration builds to a boiling point.
If you’re passive that anger and frustration never escapes your body and may cause health problems. If you’re aggressive, the anger and frustration may end with you being abusive to a pet or loved one.
You can learn to become more assertive, speak up for yourself and become more confident. But first, you need the assertiveness skills that will help you be surer of yourself and the actions you want to take.
Become an Advocate for You!
The first step in becoming more assertive is to decide to become your own advocate. That means you have to assert yourself in your job, with friends and family and others who may disrespect you.
It’s sometimes scary to stand up for yourself – especially when you’re afraid of losing your job or a special relationship. Even though it can sometimes be a challenge, having your own back will make you happier and help you live life on your own terms.
There are three main ingredients to developing assertiveness skills and becoming your own advocate:
- Know what you want.
- Believe that it’s your right to have it.
- Express it with courage and determination.
Learning to say “no” is one of the hardest things to overcome when asserting yourself effectively. Friends and family, spouses and your job may have taken advantage of you for years and you’ve been trained to say “yes” to every request, even though it may mean you’re overworked and under-appreciated.
When you become an advocate for yourself, you’re actually befriending yourself and when you become your own BFF, good things will begin to happen. You’ll be able to stick to your beliefs and values because you don’t want to let yourself down.
When you break the destructive patterns of passiveness or aggressiveness, you’ll be amazing at the new sense of freedom and the positive outcomes you’ll gain when you stick up for yourself in a healthy manner.
Becoming assertive in your personal and working life is the most important tool you can cultivate for your ultimate success. It’s the ability to state your wants and needs clearly and share your feelings calmly, but forcefully to get what you want.
Learn to become assertive – and love the freedom and self-confidence it brings to your life.
