BED Help and Support with Nadine Ann

Assertiveness training is near and dear to me! I had to learn this myself. I had no self-confidence when it came to sticking up for my rights, being able to say no and so on. I still work on it every day. Being assertive doesn't just come to you in one day so please keep working on it for a long as you need to until you are confident that you are able to express your likes, dislikes and needs in a respectful manner.

People may disagree with you and that is fine as long as they respect your opinion as well. You need to do the same for them. Being able to say NO is huge. Let's talk about that.

Have you been able to say NO to others who demand a lot of you? How do you go about doing it?

To be assertive, you must remember that your feelings and wants are just as important as the other persons'. When you get that feeling of uncomfortable-ness, anger or frustration that is your first indicator that your wants, feelings and needs are not being met and that it is time to figure out why. Is the person who is speaking to you asking you to do more than you can handle? What is the worst that is going to happen if you decline or ask for more time? You have the right to say that you are uncomfortable or can't do something.

What do you have trouble with? Authority figures? Relationships? Parents? Peers? All of the above!?