Speaking your mind is one of the best skills you can learn. What it’s really all about is, being confident enough to realize that you deserve just as good treatment as anybody else. Plus, knowing how to demand good treatment.
Do you worry that if you say what you feel, you could hurt someone’s feelings? That’s sweet, but remember, being nice doesn’t mean being a doormat. Everyone has a right to her own feelings about situations and subjects – and that includes you!
You can learn to speak up confidently by copying others who seem self-assured. Notice how they express themselves and pick up their moves. Your role model for this might be a confident friend, a person you admire, or even a celebrity who speaks out in a way you’d like to imitate. You can rehearse your “speaking up” skills with good friends or a family member, or even in front of a mirror. With practice, you can learn to appear more confident.
Remember, it’s your life! You’ve got to stand up for what you believe in. Don’t let anyone make you feel like your opinions don’t matter. Keep on telling yourself that you are entitled to have your own opinions and feelings about things. Learn to be honest, and you will gain respect from others. More importantly, you’ll build self-respect. The more you do it, the easier it will become.
