Being Assertive

How to Be More Assertive

Effective assertiveness or as we commonly know it - The power of asking is a balance between your needs and maintaining a relationship with another person involved. With an interpersonal interaction, the moment we ask for something we are making a choice; my wants (discomfort) or theirs? The cost of this over time can be arguments, and residual guilt, which leads to an endless cycle of exhausting relationship repair efforts. We also find ourselves held back from ever asking for what we desire simply because of our fear of being rejected.

Solution:

With a mindful approach to the power of asking, we can navigate these barriers and increase the likelihood of getting what we want, without creating so much discomfort in the other person. Skills like learning to validate the other person’s views as well as how they may be feeling about our request and asserting our ask in a way that emotionally supports both parties. As we transform our mindset to thinking more about others, we also gradually lose our fear of being rejected by others when we make requests.