Be Assertive by Knowing Your Rights

Everyone must learn to be assertive but not everyone knows how to do it. This is because it's an acquired form of communication for many. You must begin by learning what your basic assertive rights are. Continue reading to find out what they are!

Reviewed and approved by the psychologist Gema Sánchez Cuevas.

Written by Sonia Budner

Last update: 25 July, 2023

You have to be assertive because it’s the ability every individual has to defend their rights non-aggressively. You have a right to be who you are, to express what you think, to feel, and to do it with the utmost respect for yourself and others. Furthermore, a person can be assertive when they know their rights and alternatives to protect them.

In today’s article, we’ll focus on three of the basic assertive rights, without forgetting there are many more. Thus, instead of opening an endless list, you’ll explore three of them in depth: the right not to give explanations, the right to succeed, and the right to enjoy yourself.

Be assertive

Fundamental assertive rights are all those people possess by virtue of being. However, this also means others have the same assertive rights as you. This is one of the most important things to keep in mind when you have to defend said rights.

Assertiveness is a quality. One can understand it as the knowledge, courage, and savviness that allows you to defend your rights when the situation doesn’t promote its own defense. Thanks to your assertiveness, you can say “no” to your boss or to a friend when they ask for a favor you can’t do. Also, it allows you to recognize and point out an injustice anyone may have committed.

Thanks to assertive communication, people can express their opinions, defend their rights, and make suggestions. All without violating other people’s rights. In addition, honest communication will allow you to maintain a healthier dialogue. This is because you won’t have to justify your actions, thus avoiding dissonance.

This is a form of communication you can learn. Continue reading, as this article is about your assertive rights.

You don’t need to give explanations

There are countless occasions when you may feel compelled to justify your decisions or actions. Including any opinions you might have on a given subject. However, you’re not under any obligation to give any explanations if you don’t want to.

Each person is their own judge. Thus, the basic assertive right not to give explanations comes from the fact that no one’s authorized to judge you, regardless of whether you’re guilty of a trespass or not. Do you often find yourself in situations where you feel like you must offer explanations and make excuses when you don’t want to? If so, you may be focusing your existence on pleasing others and trying to find acceptance.

You must know you don’t have to be liked by everyone and you do deserve respect. Many of your thoughts aren’t logical, as are many of your conceptions. Enduring the inconsistency in front of yourself and others is an achievement that requires practice and assertiveness.

You have the right to succeed

Apparently, protecting this right is no complicated task. Or is it? Well, it can be at times, and difficult too. There’s a competition for several of the achievements you aspire to. And perhaps you’ve suffered for many of those you’ve already achieved. What this means is that competition isn’t always fair and people seldom hesitate to boycott your achievements out of jealousy.

Procrustes syndrome is the name given to those individuals who feel the need to cut off the heads or feet of people who stand out. The fear of it make some people do everything possible not to stand out or differentiate themselves from the rest.

You have the right to be assertive and enjoy yourself

Everyone has the right to enjoy themselves and be happy. Thus, this right must be considered as something basic.

The Middle Ages was a dark period. In fact, during it, joy and laughter were forbidden in many places. The perspective of life as a path of suffering was widespread. Thus, in this scenario, authorities censored celebrations. Going back to today, it’s true that humans have taken a step forward in this regard. An important step, in fact. However, some people still refrain from celebrating or manifesting joy out of fear.

Assertiveness helps you climb mountains. Sometimes, circumstances put you at a crossroads where it isn’t easy to defend your rights. However, you’ll eventually realize that, by being assertive, your perspective becomes clearer and you enjoy yourself more because you see and accept yourself for who you are.