Standing up for yourself – assertiveness– means expressing yourself clearly, staying true to your needs and values, while at the same time respecting the dignity of others. Assertiveness is not to be confused with arrogance, rudeness and being unrealistic in your expectations of others. Confident, well-adjusted people have no need to brag, or be overbearing. When you know how to stand up for yourself you deal with situations, including the most difficult, effectively. You are unlikely to be steamrollered into anything against your will. Remember, you get treated the way you teach others to treat you. Assert yourself and you gain others’ respect. Your relationships are more sincere, because everyone understands you perfectly. “Too often our behaviour is dictated by obligation toothers; in the process, we forget the primary obligation: to be ourselves. Arthur Miller ”
A Few Words Of Advice
We get used to knowing a person in a certain way. As you become more confident there will be those who don’t like the change; they may even feel threatened by it. And others may take a while to adjust.
But don’t let this deter you. They’re not thinking of you. They’re projecting their lack of self-esteem on to you. The last thing you’ll want is to be knocked back to where you were. And why should you be? Just be sensitive to their feelings until they’ve become used to the new you.
You may even have to be prepared to lose a few friends and seek out more supportive relationships. But this won’t be a problem. True friends will be pleased to see the positive changes you’re making.