When it comes to feeling empowered, people often think about external events and the people contributing to their comfort and confidence level. But self-advocacy is about taking control of your own life, which means reclaiming power over how you’re seen, heard, and understood. It’s about honing in on your own voice, understanding how to effectively communicate with others, and knowing when to speak up.  

Follow these tips to reclaim your power and increase your self-advocacy skills: 

Begin with a Strong Sense of Self-Awareness

Knowing who you are, what’s important to you, and what makes you feel confident in different situations is essential to advocate for yourself effectively. When faced with a challenge or an opportunity to stand up for something that matters to you, be sure you understand exactly why this topic is important before speaking up or making a move. 

Learn the Other Person’s Point of View

The more clearly you understand where the other person is coming from, such as their experiences, motivations, and values, the better your chance at crafting an effective message or action plan. Awareness of both sides makes it easier for them to take your arguments seriously and find common ground between all factors involved. Listening and empathizing go a long way toward being heard by others. Listening first shows respect. When you indicate that you are genuinely open to understanding their perspective and don’t have a selfish agenda, people want to talk to you more and listen to you more too. 

Be Clear and Direct

Sometimes finding the right words to explain something without offending someone is difficult. To avoid misunderstandings, be as clear and direct in your language as possible while still being respectful. Explain your point of view and why you feel a certain way but be careful not to put them on the defensive.

Be Open to Compromise

Compromise is one of the best tools in any conflict resolution toolbox. It allows both sides to feel heard and respected while reaching an agreement that benefits everyone involved. When resolving a disagreement, be open to compromise and seek ways everyone can benefit. This shows respect for the other person’s point of view and allows the situation to be resolved more productively. Looking to “win” an argument only leads to a dead end, while compromise breaks the stalemate. It’s also a toxic approach to argument resolution, as it does not build trust and respect between the two parties. 

Be Willing to Forgive

Forgiveness is important in resolving conflicts, as it fosters understanding and trust between two parties. When you are willing to forgive someone for their mistakes or offenses, it shows that you are eager to move past the hurt and heal the relationship. This allows both parties to come to a mutually beneficial resolution for all involved. 

Practice

If the opportunity arises where a situation calls for making your case known or taking some kind of action, take advantage of it. Speak up boldly and confidently but don’t forget to temper it with respect for both parties involved — regardless if anyone agrees or disagrees with your views or beliefs. Even if things don’t go as planned, the courage to stand up for yourself will leave a lasting impression on everyone, including yourself. You’ll foster greater self-confidence when dealing with future challenges head-on, making all your hard work worth it.

It’s not always easy advocating for yourself, and it takes courage, but if you’re determined to make a change, the benefits of self-advocacy are worth the effort. As you take more control over your life and pursue what matters most to you, you’ll become a stronger version of yourself.