February 16, 2018

One of my favorite focuses in counseling is assertiveness training. Many people do not realize that a lack of healthy assertiveness is often at the root of their issues. The first step towards obtaining a healthy balance of assertiveness is learning how to believe in yourself. Provided below is a “Personal Bill of Rights.” Believing in these rights, and in turn, yourself, may just be what it takes to engage in a whole new world of self-love, self- confidence, and healthy assertiveness. Personal Bill of Rights: 1. I have the right to change and grow. 2. I have the right to be healthy. 3. I have the right to make mistakes. 4. I have the right to say “no,” “I don’t know,” I don’t understand, or “I don’t care.” 5. I have the right to expect honesty from others. 6. I have the right to live by my own standards and set of values. 7. I have the right to change my mind. 8. I have the right to be respected. 9. I have the right to not take responsibility for others’ actions, feelings, or behaviors. 10. I have the right to be in a non-abusive environment. 11. I have the right to have my needs be as important as the needs of others. 12. I have the right to do things that others might not approve of. 13. I have the right to ask for help 14. I have the right to be myself. 15. I have the right to be happy.