Assertiveness is a life skill; useful both inside and outside work. However, the reactions and behaviors we employ now are the result of years of fine tuning. Being assertive doesn’t happen overnight, but the more practice you get, the more skilled you become. And while you may not always get what you want, you will always know you gave it your best. So here are the top ten tips for improving your assertive behavior:
1. Believe in yourself more - always think positively and feed yourself with positive inner dialogue. Stand in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eye, and tell yourself how wonderful you are!
2. Recognize that you can never change other people. You can only change what you do; and that a change in your behavior will afford others the opportunity to behave differently towards you.
3. Learn to respond, not react. Start choosing how to behave, based on admitting and accepting the consequences. Accept that you – and only you – have made that choice: nobody has forced you into it.
4. Stop beating yourself up for your decisions and behaviors. Instead, turn every situation into a positive learning opportunity for future behavior change.
5. Watch your body language. Make sure it matches your words: people tend to believe what they see rather than what they hear.
6. Use the green cross code: Stop Look Listen - then think about how you want to respond. This will ensure you stay in control of you and the situation, and afford others the opportunity to do so as well.
7. Aim for situation resolution, not self defence. Concentrate on the situation rather than your own feelings, and recognize that the other person is most probably angry about the situation - not with you.
8. Consider and choose your words. Lose the words that signal “I’m a pushover" such as “I’m terribly sorry", or “I’m afraid", or “Could you possibly…?" or “Can I just …?". Substitute big “I" statements followed by factual descriptions instead of judgments or exaggerations. This will encourage the other person to do the same.
9. Say “no" when you want to. Don’t forget to afford yourself all of the rights you allow everyone else to have. And if it helps, remember that you are not refusing them personally, you are refusing their request.
10. Take a “can do" attitude. Believe that things don’t just happen to you – but that you can make them happen.
Interested in clock collecting? Whether it's new trendy clocks or ancient antiques, there are similar things for which to watch. Thinking about clock collecting or already doing it? It's a wonderful hobby. Take a look at what is out there before buying. The hobby has been around a long time but it is changing, especially given that artists are now licensing their artwork onto timepieces. This is a whole new area of clock collecting. Antiques are still very popular as well. 1. Go online and even to museums and see what is out there, the prices, and how they look. Most websites will describe the clock and a museum may even have a detailed brochure. Online is more for newer licensed art clock buying which also generally rise in value along with the artist whose art is on the clock. 2. Shop with more than one dealer. Talk to many and collectors as well. Most of them are generous and will share your enthusiasm. Check online and see what has sold in the past and at what price.
4. You may find that it is worth paying a little more for a guarantee. Sometimes the label might be a reproduction and the case might not be the original. Remember, you will likely pay more for the clock that is in excellent condition and less for the clock in fair condition. If it is a reproduction, that does not mean it is not a collectible clock. In the old days of clock collecting, one-of-a-kind clocks were the anchor product. Now clock collectors everywhere look for licensed art image clocks of great artists, cartoonists, and the like. 5. If the clock has a label or signature of a well-known clockmaker or once belonged to a celebrity, the value will be much greater. 6. Don't forget the additional costs you may incur once you have purchased the clock. There may be transportation fees (for larger clocks), restoration fees, insurance fees, and cleaning and maintenance fees. And of course almost all will have shipping fees. If ordering online, look at the weight of the clock or if it is not mentioned, ask the vendor the cost of shipping if it is not shown at checkout. 7.Always have a caveat emptor attitude. Most dealers are honest, but be careful not to become a victim of an crooked one. They are out there. Always ask for a written guarantee that specifies you can get a refund if any claims turn out to be untrue. Most will offer one but if not, it's best to go elsewhere.
8. Buy from a clock dealer or someone who sells more than one or two clocks. Most antique clock dealers will focus on clocks. When buying newer artsy clocks, the vendor may sell other items, but has more than a few clocks in stock. In other words, the vendor is familiar with the clock and the artist. 9. If the clock is an antique or old, it should be lubricated by a professional at least every five years, and overhauled every ten years. 10. If care and instructions of the clock are not mentioned on the website (if buying online) ask the vendor to instruct you.
Both Arthor Pens & Rick London are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Arthor Pens has sinced written about articles on various topics from Affiliate Programs, Pets and Pets. are run in London and throughout the UK by. Arthor Pens's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.
Rick London has sinced written about articles on various topics from Depression Cure, Affiliate Programs and Health. A new sort of clock collecting has evolved; art licensed wall and novelty clocks by Rick London who founded LT Superstore and Londons Times Cartoons