44 STAND UP FOR YOURSELF
Too often our behaviour is dictated by obligation to
others; in the process, we forget the primary obligation:
to be ourselves.
Arthur Miller
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Think about times in the past when you have not stood up for yourself.
How do you wish you’d handled them? How could you respond more
assertively if something similar happened again?
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Make a list of the benefits to you personallyof becoming more assertive.
Then make a list of the disadvantages of staying as you are.
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In which areas of your life would you like to be more assertive: at work,
at home, in social activities, etc? Do you allow yourself to be pushed
around?
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Just for today don’t say anything that conflicts with your true feelings,
wishes, needs and values. Be firm and polite at all times, but don’t allow
anyone to take advantage of you.
At the end of the day, reflect. How well did it go? Learn from it,
then do the same again tomorrow.
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