The ability to speak up for yourself is a powerful trait. It reflects your self-confidence, builds relationships, and demonstrates your courage. To be a better advocate for yourself, you need to learn how to find your own voice. Everyone has a unique voice, but learning how to use it can be intimidating. You may feel you don’t have the right words or that it won’t make a difference anyway. However, the more you think this way, the harder it is to speak up. The good news is that finding your voice is easier than you think. 

Here are four powerful ways to find your own voice: 

Learn to Accept Criticism

Criticism is difficult to receive, but learning to accept it provides a better opportunity to grow and improve. If someone is giving you criticism, take a deep breath and give them your full attention. Remember that criticism doesn’t define you as a person. Use it as an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and make changes if necessary. Find a way to put yourself in their shoes and understand why they might have made the criticism. Take your opinions out of the equation. Not only will you become a better self-advocate, but it will also make you develop more empathy and understanding for others. 

Be Okay with Be Wrong Sometimes

Nobody likes being wrong, but make it a goal to be comfortable with making mistakes. Mistakes are part of life and the learning process. Part of speaking up means you will learn more about what is right and wrong with other people, and you can’t get that if you never make mistakes. Just because someone is correcting you doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong – you’re just learning. 

Be Mindful of Your Words and Body Language

What you do not say is equally important as what you say. Pre-plan and consider what you would like to communicate. Steer clear of speaking aggressively, and be mindful of your facial expressions and posture. Do not crack a smile or giggle if you need to be taken seriously.

Use Positive Language and Affirmations

Use positive language that acknowledges your feelings and rights without attacking others when speaking up for yourself. Instead of saying something like, “You are wrong,” or “I don’t want to deal with this anymore,” try saying something like, “I understand your point of view, but I disagree,” or “I need to take a break from this situation and come back to it later.” Affirmations provide a way to stay confident in challenging conversations – such as reminding yourself that you have the right to speak up for yourself and that it’s okay if someone doesn’t agree with you. To create your own affirmations, write down three true things that let you feel empowered when speaking up for yourself.

Speaking up for yourself is an important skill to build self-confidence and become your best advocate. Take control of your narrative. Don’t be afraid to use your voice. Remember that no one can take away the power of your words, so use them to your advantage and be proud of who you are. You have everything within you to find your voice and stand up for yourself in any situation.