Confidence plays a vital role in your life. It keeps your mental well-being at safeguard. However, the lack of assertiveness decreases your self-worth. Don’t deduce yourself to a puppet. Instead, strengthen yourself by getting involved with the best assertiveness training provider.
Easy Guide on Self Assertiveness Training
Are you having a hard time being assertive during conversations? Then, practice the following for smooth-sailing communication.
Pinpoint where you have assertiveness trouble
The first step in building assertive communication is identifying where you need help. Are you struggling to express your opinion to your loved ones? Do you worry about how others will react to your statements? Get to know yourself so you can understand how to approach the matter.
Acknowledge your own feelings
To be fair, it is indeed difficult to express your own opinion and needs. Others might see you as overbearing, while some might just neglect your existence. So before you share what’s on your mind, get in touch with yourself. What do you actually feel? Which activities do you prefer? If you can understand your feelings, others will get you quickly.
Recognize other’s behaviors are different
Sometimes, being assertive gets misunderstood. Don’t burden yourself with how other people react to your assertion. Despite them being hurtful and angry at you, avoid reacting the same way. Keep in mind that you can’t control others’ behavior. However, you can always take over your emotions. Stay respectful towards others.
Practice saying No
Refusing someone’s request is always a hard decision. There’s a worry about how your friends will react to that. However, learning to say no is essential when practicing assertiveness. Keep in mind that everybody has their own limitations. If you overwork yourself, you are least likely to complete the task efficiently. Thus, creating more problems than solving them.
Begin to use the I statement
The technique of I statements focuses more on your personal feelings and needs. It is better than assuming for others. Often, people don’t feel judged or blamed when we use I in every sentence.
Take criticism and compliment.
Each one of us experienced being criticized and complimented. So it’s best to accept other people’s responses to us, whether it’s positive or negative feedback. Be humble whenever you receive a compliment. However, remain composed when you hear someone denounce your work. Instead, prepare an answer without sounding defensive or angry.
Involve your loved ones
Practicing assertiveness takes time and effort. So it’s best to try it out with people you trust the most. For example, get your family involved by asking for favors nicely. Or express your honest opinions on challenging topics with your friends. In addition, request your loved ones to point out when you lean more toward aggressive communication. This way, you can tone down your approach.
Evaluate your progress
Since you have self-assertiveness training, it is necessary to review your progress. Every time you try being assertive, assess yourself. Were you able to handle it smoothly? Have you delivered your thoughts clearly? What else can you do to manage it differently? Evaluating oneself makes it easier for you to know the next steps. If there is a setback, still keep ongoing. Don’t let it stop you from learning to be assertive.
These simple yet challenging tips can help you be more approachable to others. However, it will be more comfortable if you have professionals to guide you along the way. So, it’s best to get a legit assertiveness training provider.
What to Look for in Assertivess Traning Provider
As of today, various companies offer assertiveness training. When you look into one, you’ll see that each offers programs suitable to its client.
Types of Assertiveness Training
Different kinds of training are necessary to boost one’s assertive communication. Here are the two most common assertiveness training.
Behavioral Skills Training
The course focuses on the lack of communication skills. Exposure to stressors or specific scenarios helps you identify how you will react. Thus, it maintains your composure and reduces anxiety.
Cognitive Restructuring Training
The program addresses thoughts that lead to anxiety. Identifying the cause of such ideas aids in the potential avoidance behavior. This way, you can face more challenges with confidence and understanding.
An individual with no assertiveness often has anxiety and depression. If this is the case, a particular assertiveness program is necessary for the treatment. These are as follows.
Dialectical Behavioral Training
The program is highly advisable for people with a borderline personality disorder. It strengthens your interpersonal effectiveness. So you can meet your goals without harming your self-worth and relationships.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
The course targets your commitment and value-based actions. Even though the risk of failure is imminent, it still encourages you to accept the results. Failing, making mistakes, and staying committed to your chosen action are part of the assertiveness training.
Communication Skills
Aside from the courses offered by the assertiveness training providers, you also need to look for the skills they practice.
Nonverbal Skills
Show your assertiveness, including your body language. There are moments when you don’t get a chance to talk much. But, you can still show respect through these aspects.
- Stand straight
- Sit in the direction of the speaker
- Make minimal yet purposeful movements
- Respect personal space
- Control hand gestures
Verbal Skills
Your words should not contradict your nonverbal skills. So say what you need to say by observing the following.
- Get straight to the point without being rude.
- Always make clear statements.
- Answer calmly but with conviction
- Never forget to use the I statements
- State appreciation and apologize when needed
Every assertiveness training provider has its own techniques to share with each client. What’s important is they guide each individual to become assertive instead of passive or aggressive.
Best Practice and Exercise
Another thing you need to look for in the best assertiveness training provider is their exercises.
Assertiveness Self-Evaluation Exercise
Before starting with your training, self-evaluation is a must. It is an excellent starting point. Here you begin to understand yourself more. Thus, it justifies your need to build assertiveness.
Identifying Assertiveness Balance
During assertiveness training, you need to show respect for yourself and others. The lack of respect will lead to difficulty in keeping your assertiveness. Therefore, explore your behavior and think of your next step.
Self-Assessment for Assertiveness Self-Discovery
Understand yourself better for the best result of assertiveness training. Do this by answering a series of questions to learn more about yourself. Afterward, recognize the good things in your life to develop ways of being assertive.
When searching for the best assertiveness training provider, check these aspects. This way, you are sure that they are capable of helping you achieve your goal.
