6 Tips to Stay Assertive in your Daily Life
Photo Courtesy: geralt
Are you facing the problem of being assertive on an everyday basis? Do you become hesitant in speaking out your mind? Being assertive is a skill that everyone may not have. Here are a few tips that may help you to be more assertive in your daily life.
1. Don’t gear up for a battle to be assertive, let it come naturally
Many times when people think too much about how they will be assertive in daily life, they end up becoming rude. You don’t have to gear up to become assertive, premeditate on your defenses and what you are going to say. Being assertive should come naturally. It is just about speaking out your mind without being afraid of anyone.
2. Say no when you want to say no
One of the tough parts of being assertive is to have the guts to say no to someone. It is easy to be obliging and say yes but it is tough to speak your mind and say no. If you are in a situation where you are being forced to do or say something, you have to muster the courage to refuse. Stop thinking about the repercussions and learn to say no to be assertive.
3. Don’t care about what other people will think
One of the hurdles that you may face in learning how to be assertive every day is constantly worrying about what other people will think of you. Will they feel bad if you are assertive and say what you really think? Will they stop talking to you? If you entangle yourself in thoughts about others, you may never be able to become assertive and forceful.
4. Have the correct body language for becoming more assertive
You cannot expect to be assertive when you have meek body language. If you can’t look someone in the eye and tell them what you think upfront, you may have a lot of catching up to do with your body language. Your physical stature has to ooze confidence and self assuredness. Keep a straight back, keep your chin up and talk clearly whenever you are trying to be assertive.
5. Be convinced about what you want to be assertive for
When you are assertive for something to someone, you are basically expressing your opinion and building an expectation that you will stick by it and fight for it. In other words, it is the beginning of picking a battle that you are expected to follow through. Don’t be assertive about something just because someone else expects you to. If you can’t back up an assertive statement that you make, you cannot become assertive in daily life.
6. Diffuse a tense moment
Since many people mistake assertiveness for being pushy to the extent of being rude, it is important to clear the air before and after being assertive. If you think that your assertiveness could give rise to a tense moment, diffuse it then and there. For example, if you want to refuse an invitation to a seminar that your colleague wants you to attend, first thank him or her profusely for having thought of you. Once he or she breaks into a smile, say that you won’t be able to make it but you will try next time. This will help you be assertive on a daily basis without straining every relationship.
