How to Pump and Use Your Assertiveness Muscle: Lessons from the Road to Sveltesville - In preparation for my trip this blogger made certain that her ASSERTIVENESS muscle is pumped and ready for action.
Yes, I said, assertiveness muscle – not to be confused with aggression of any kind. While it is my plan to put my needs right out there and have my requests met with a smile; it is not my plan to yell, swear or stomp my feet.
Keeping that in mind, remember that assertive is derived from the word - assert -which meaning is “to state an opinion, claim a right, or establish authority.” Yes, that’s right … claim a right … claim what’s yours!
Aggressiveness, on the other hand, is “characterized by aggression: inclined to behave in an actively hostile fashion.”
As you can see, there is quite a difference between claiming what’s yours and being actively hostile. There’s no need for hostility (even though I suspect it burns more calories).
Our Lady of Weight Loss’s Tips on How to Claim What’s Yours While Travelin’ the Road to Sveltesville (without getting the police involved)
1. Be firm in your conviction.
2. State your needs, while considering the other person’s perspective.
3. Be polite.
4. Be friendly – and smile (on phone and in person – smiling travels the phone wires).
5. Make eye contact, if in person.
6. Behave in a way that expresses confidence.
7. Respect others and they will respect you, in turn.
8. Be patient. If the person with whom you are communicating with does not ‘get’ your request, re-word it. Again, need be.
9. Hold your ground.
10. Remember ... you are not bothering anyone. It is your right!
11. Worst case scenario ... All Is Forgiven, Move On.
With that in mind, I did telephone the hotel to which I was headed and politely, with a smile on my face (knowing that they could ‘feel’ it) asked them to:
1. Remove the ubiquitous and tempting devil’s treat (jars of nuts, chocolate bars, sodas, etc.) that they so beautifully display from my hotel room.
2. Asked if there was a refrigerator in my room (there was; if not I would have requested one).
3. Inquired if there was a fruit market (small supermarket, food store) near by. There was in easy walking distance. If there had not been, I would have asked that a fruit platter be waiting for me when I arrived (anticipating wanting something after a long flight).
4. Checked to see if the hotel had a fitness room and pool, so I could pack accordingly.
And lo n’ behold … it was all 'right' upon arrival. Had it not been, I would have politely reiterated my requests until they happened they way I want them to, because I am worth it and believe in 'Claiming What Is Mine.'
Claim all that is yours today! Happily and with a smile on your face.
Spread the word (NOT the icing!),
Janice
For more travel tips (and life tips, too), join the Kick in the Tush Club community.
Join me on 'The Forgiveness Tour.'
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Janice--You go girl! And best foodless thoughts are with you for an enjoyable,temptless, and energized time with lots of great distractions from food. (Even though it is all around us--but hopefully not in us.)
Your sliming down friend,
Anita
I would love to exercise everyday. I don't have the energy. I eat
too much sugar. I also have high blood pressure, diabetes, and an
autoimmune disease called Erythema Induratum. I am always tired. Plus,
they are getting on my case at work about being absent. I am reapplying for the FMLA.
Thsnks for your daily refreshment and encouragement with the Rules of conducts. This is my first time of reading this rules and i think i am begining to fall in love with this honorable site BELIEFNET.COM God bless you.
Hey now there's some advice I can really sink my teeth into...thanks!
How do you assert yourself in your own Room, I dont know how to ASK and than TELL because I cant get to the bottom of a situation Fast and if need be I say it again and again Help? Maybe because Life doesnt owe me anything help me to Forgive ME Send some kick butt reassurance that Everyone is A human with Rights to Be,Pursue happiness and wealth at their level Amen
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