I know from personal experience how hard it is to be assertive. Assertiveness is a skill that significantly impacts both personal and professional aspects of life. It's about expressing yourself effectively and standing up for your point of view, while also respecting the rights and beliefs of others. Being assertive can help manage stress and improve decision-making, and it's a trait that can be developed with practice. The first step in becoming more assertive is understanding what it means. Assertiveness is often confused with aggression, but they are fundamentally different. Aggression disregards the feelings and rights of others, while assertiveness respects them. It’s a balanced way of being clear about your needs and wants without being overbearing. To develop assertiveness, start with introspection. Reflect on…

Happy Independence Day! For my international readers, Independence Day is annually celebrated on July 4th in the United States. It’s the anniversary of our country’s Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. The early colonists in America felt they were being treated unfairly by the English, so they bravely took up arms and fought for their liberty and independence. On this day, patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the United States.

This holiday always gets me thinking about what is means to be independent. Are you an independent person? By that I mean, are you free of unfair treatment by people who have power over you? It could be a spouse, a friend, a boss, co-workers, or possibly your kids. (more…)