This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested reading for those who are looking for even more information. ©
This article is from a Series
of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to
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TOP TIPS
Have
you ever found yourself in a situation where you are desperate to jump in and
say your piece, but instead, you stew in silence? If you can relate to this,
you might have trouble speaking up. This is a serious issue. If you aren't
willing or able to speak up for yourself, rest assured that no one else will
either. No concerns, issues, questions, or solutions you might have in your
head will ever materialize if you can't speak up at the right time. If you'd
like to be the type of person who speaks up when their best interests are at
stake, please consider these nine tips.
1. Know What You Stand For
When
you take the time to figure out what matters to you, you will be more likely to
speak up on those interests. Knowing what's important is a good way to figure
out when you should speak up versus staying quiet.
2. Be Ready
If
you struggle speaking up, trying to wing it at the moment is going to be
intimidating. Make sure you plan and prepare yourself in advance whenever
possible. If you have a meeting you know you want to bring something up, then
have all your talking points ready.
3. Start Small
One
of the only ways to get over an inability to speak up is to start doing it. It
might be too intimidating to start on a grand scale, so try and start small. An
example of starting small would be speaking up in a one-on-one situation.
4. Write Down What You Want to
Say
Some
people are much better at writing their thoughts than verbally expressing them.
While you can't hand in a paper during a big work meeting, having your thoughts
written down already will give you time to practice your delivery.
5. Find An Early Opening
The
longer you sit in silence, the harder it will be for you to speak up. You will
give your mind too much time to create a bunch of excuses why you shouldn't.
Also, finding an early opening ensures you have the time to get your point
across.
6. Recognize It's Hard but
Worthwhile
It
doesn't help for you to pretend speaking up is easy. Acknowledge that it will
be a challenge, but realize it will be worth it. Research into "Realistic
Optimism" has shown that people are more likely to follow through if they
expect a task to be challenging. https://hbr.org/2011/05/be-an-optimist-without-being-a
7. Your Voice Deserves to Be
Heard
You
have a unique voice, outlook ad understanding of things. Your thoughts and
opinions are important and valuable. If you can't accept and believe this, you
will never be able to speak up for yourself.
8. Stop Worrying About Others'
Thoughts
It's
perfectly fine to consider other people's feelings before you speak. However,
it's important not to go overboard. Don't worry about everyone else agreeing
with you or looking stupid. If you have something important to say, then say
it.
9. Learn the Art of Diplomacy
Sometimes
it's best to be as direct and blunt as possible. Other times, it can help you
to be a bit more diplomatic. The less aggressive you have to be, the easier you
will find it to speak up for yourself.
ACTIONABLE STEPS
a) Make
a list of times where you didn't speak out and you should have. Note how each
time may have negatively impacted you.
b) Think about an important issue you are dealing
with, and devise a way to speak up about it.
c) The
next time you feel the urge to speak up about something, just jump right in and
do it. It could be as simple as correcting a server who misheard your order.
FURTHER
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3. When to Speak Up and When To Shut Up
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4. Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to Speak Up
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5. Ispeaq: How to Speak Up for Yourself
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