Being assertive means being positive and confident. You are aware that you are a worthy person with your own special gifts. You think for yourself and express your own ideas. You know what you stand for and what you won’t stand for. You expect respect.

You are practicing assertiveness when you …

• Share your own ideas and feelings

• Tactfully tell others what you really think

• Don’t allow others to lead you into trouble

• Avoid being aggressive or passive

• Ask for what you want and need

• Expect respect at all times

Affirmation:

I am assertive. I freely express my own ideas. I think for myself and do what I feel is right. I am my own leader.

The Family Connection was established in 2005 by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands as an early-childhood initiative. The mission of TFC is to strengthen the community child care and early education infrastructure in the USVI by building awareness of the importance of early learning and development for success and working with community agencies to promote quality care and education. One of its efforts is the Virtues Project, an international initiative focused on building peaceful and caring communities.

The Source supports the Virtues Project. We will publish one of the virtues developed by the project each week.

Further information can be found here.