The Superpower You Didn’t Know You Had

  Thought of it makes me smile, I know it will make you smile too. It beautiful cozy night.

Today, I find myself brimming with gratitude for a trait that I had to consciously unlearn and then rebuild from the ground up being assertive. Ah, assertiveness! Just saying the word makes me feel like I’m wearing an invisible crown of confidence. So, what exactly does being assertive mean? Picture this: someone who walks into a room with a confident stride, shoulders back, head held high, and a voice that says, “I know what I want, and I’m not afraid to say it politely, of course.” That’s assertiveness, in a nutshell. It’s the sweet spot between being too timid and too aggressive. It’s like Goldilocks finding the chair that’s just right, only instead of porridge, we’re talking about personality traits.

An assertive person is someone who can express their thoughts, feelings, and needs with clarity and respect. It’s like having a superpower, but instead of flying or turning invisible, you get to navigate life with confidence and ease. And boy, am I grateful for this superpower! It has truly been a game-changer in so many areas of my life, especially in my spiritual journey.

You see, being assertive has helped me stay true to my values, even when life throws some pretty tempting offers my way. When everyone around me is swayed by the latest trends or the allure of easy shortcuts, I stand firm, thanks to my trusty assertiveness. It’s like having a built-in GPS that keeps me grounded, no matter how attractive the detours may seem. I know where I’m going, and I’m sticking to the path that aligns with my beliefs.

But it doesn’t stop there! My assertiveness has also fueled my insatiable curiosity and love for learning. I’m the kind of person who can’t resist diving into new experiences whether it’s exploring a new spiritual practice, embarking on an adventurous hike, or experimenting with a new recipe (because let’s be honest, food is life). Being assertive has given me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and embrace these learning opportunities with open arms.

And then there’s the invaluable lesson assertiveness has taught me about decision-making. Ah, the fine art of making decisions something we all struggle with at times. But here’s the thing: when you’re assertive, you become decisive. You weigh your options, make a choice, and move on. It’s like being the star of your own action movie, where you don’t have time for second-guessing because life is moving at full speed. On the flip side, indecisiveness is like being stuck in quicksand slow, painful, and often leading to lessons learned the hard way. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s not fun.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being assertive is the respect it commands from others. When you’re clear about what you want and where you stand, people take notice. It’s as if the universe starts aligning things in your favor, and life just falls into place. Let me share a little story from my NYSC days in Gombe a time when assertiveness really paid off.

I was on the hunt for an apartment and was determined not to stay in the corper’s lodge or bunk with anyone else. I had a vision in my mind of the perfect place, and I wasn’t going to settle for anything less. So, I went from one potential apartment to another, politely declining every “you can manage this” suggestion that came my way. Some thought I was being too picky, but I knew what I wanted. And guess what? After what felt like a never-ending search, I finally found a gem a beautifully furnished service apartment that was nothing short of perfect. Moral of the story? When you’re assertive about your desires, life has a funny way of delivering them to you, even if it takes a bit of patience.

Being assertive has also helped me maintain healthy habits, like not eating late at night. Some of my friends now know better than to tempt me with late-night snacks, because they respect my boundaries. It’s like having a “no entry” sign for late-night cravings, and trust me, it works!

There’s another moment that still makes me smile when I went for an interview, and the interviewer’s feedback was, “I love your confidence.” Ah, music to my ears! Being assertive has given me the confidence to walk into a room full of people and feel like I belong, even if I’ve never met anyone there before. It’s like having a secret handshake with life that says, “I’ve got this.”

And let’s not forget the opportunities assertiveness has opened up for me, like anchoring programs on radio and TV. Yes, you heard that right! The same girl who once hesitated to speak up now has no problem addressing a crowd or going live on air. Talk about a transformation!

So, today, I’m sending a big “Thank You” to the Almighty for this incredible gift of assertiveness. It’s a trait that has empowered me, shaped me, and brought countless blessings into my life. And the best part? It’s something anyone can learn and cultivate.

So, I encourage you to embrace assertiveness in your life. Be clear about what you want, stand up for yourself, and watch how life responds. It’s like planting a seed of confidence that grows into a tree of endless possibilities.

Now, it’s your turn share with us your experiences of being assertive. How has it improved your life? Let’s inspire each other to be the best versions of ourselves, one confident step at a time.