Assertiveness in 2021

Assertiveness is a skill regularly referred to in social, communication and Life Skills training. Being assertive means being able to stand up for your own, or other people's rights, in a calm and positive way.

Assertive individuals get their point across without upsetting others or becoming upset themselves.

HOWEVER - Have you changed your work or home life behaviour to allow for the ‘C’ word (Coronavirus) or the ‘P’ word (Pandemic)?

Expressing ourselves assertively can be difficult, because our needs may be in opposition to someone else’s needs or wants. This can be particularly challenging during these times of working from home, especially when we are conducting our important meetings via a screen.

Relating this to your home life, are you suppressing yourself and feeling the need to ‘keep the peace’ at home, due to the current restrictions?

By now, maybe the frustrations are making you irritable and resentful. This can result in conflict, simply because we did not communicate our needs from the outset.

It is now so important to be MINDFUL that:

• Assertiveness is a skill, not a personality type

• Assertiveness is about controlling your own behaviour, not that of others

• It is not necessary to be assertive all the time

Assertiveness equals openness.

The more you feel free to be yourself, the less tension there will be in your ongoing relationships.

Being assertive in close or intimate relationships opens communication channels.

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