19 Simple Tips: How To Be Assertive In Life

Are you the sort of person who says “Yes” to everything when every fibre of you wants to scream” No!”? Do you feel delegated to do everything, whether at work or at home, and you end up feeling taken for granted and used, yet you do it anyway?

If either of these scenarios resonates with you, you are suffering from a lack of assertiveness, fearing the reaction of other people instead of standing up for yourself.

This is a very common problem many people suffer from, but the good news is that once identified, you can rid yourself of it.

Struggling to be assertive often stems from a fear of conflict, rejection, or the desire to be liked.

Many people were never taught how to express their needs confidently, especially if they grew up in environments where being passive or overly accommodating was encouraged.

This can lead to internalized beliefs that speaking up is selfish or rude. However, assertiveness is about balance—honouring both your needs and the needs of others.

Start by noticing situations where you remain silent even when you have something important to express