Quotes About Assertiveness

If you don't ask, you don't get. But if you ask and don't get, ask again.

Don't say yes out of obligation. When you don't feel an inner yes, say no to others' requests for your help. Reserve some of your time and energy for things you love to do.

Why do only boys get to chase? Nuh-uh! If anything, I think this whole sitting back and waiting thing can be self-sabotaging. We have to send up flares. We have to let guys know we're open for business.

Maryanne paid for her purchases, and once everything was stuffed into the blue plastic bags, she headed toward the exit. That's when she spotted her tail again... not six feet away. "Here," she said, thrusting her purchases at J.Z.'s middle. "Since you're sticking to me like used bubble gum to my shoes, you can make yourself useful. Carry these to my car, please." She left him, arms full of bags, jaw agape, and wend to buy a soft pretzel and an icy drink.

If I'm too strong for some people, that's their problem

him, Cousin One. But first, I'll take this." He grabbed for Riff's flute. Riff jumped back. "No, you won't!" Captain Zee swung his whip,

if you don't stand up for yourselves, how can you stand up for anybody else?

If feminism means anything, it means taking responsibility for ourselves: for our own lives and actions. It is not "women as victims" but women refusing to be victims. What we need, as adults or children, is just one person who has confidence in us, so we can have confidence in ourselves.

The best thing about self-defense is knowing there is a self worth defending.

We are the women our parents warned us about - and we are proud!

if girls were raised a little more like boys—if they had more right to say no, to declare boundaries, to develop a strong personal identity, to be angry, to rebel—they would be less likely to be revictimized as adults.

In retrospect, the second cause for delay makes less feminist sense: the long popularity of assertiveness training. Though most women needed to be more assertive (or even more aggressive, though that word was considered too controversial), many assertiveness courses taught women how to play the existing game, not how to change the rules.

I'm beginning to realize the pleasure of being a nothing-to-lose, take-no-shit older woman.

Not only had I never made any such complaints, but at political meetings, I had given my suggestions to whatever man was sitting next to me, knowing that if a man offered them, they would be taken more seriously. You white women, Mrs. Greene said kindly, as if reading my mind, if you don't stand up for yourselves, how can you stand up for anybody else?

If I know my Rachel, she will do what she wants to do. And perhaps that is the best.

The truth is always the best approach when saying no. Keep it simple. People don't need to hear your sob story. A five-minute exposition about your busy life, your demanding mother, or your clinging children isn't the most effective approach. That may be the truth, but you've given too much information, and your listener tuned out four minutes ago.

Stop explaining yourself. It's a waste of energy. The urge to defend yourself comes from your soul saying: This is a toxic relation. Leave.

An apology is a good way to have the last word.

Those that yield are not always weak

Non sempre chi accondiscende è debole.

I could kill you in a dozen different ways without breaking a sweat. Do not think to dictate my comings and goings.

That which yields is not always weak

You know, Elijah raised a hand to shake a finger at her, you have an attitude problem. I certainly do. Your attitude is a huge problem for me.

I think there is something to be said for a well-publicized ass-kicking.