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Assertiveness Helps with Time Management Skills
Are you setting productive boundaries?
An assertive person will have an easier time implementing and maintaining good time management routines.
Definition of Assertive: characterized by boldness or confidence in declaring one's own rights, claims or opinions
Let's explore what might happen during a work day at different levels of assertiveness, ranging from low self-esteem to aggression.
Low Assertiveness
Equating with low self-esteem, low assertiveness is demonstrated in the following situations:
- People intrude on your time throughout the day to chat or vent.
- You never close your door because you want to appear friendly.
- Work stacks up while you continue to accept more projects.
- You volunteer for extra committees or assignments when no one else does.
- Often you berate yourself for being incapable when work does not get done.
Assertiveness
In comparison, assertive individuals set boundaries. They do not allow someone to pressure them into taking on an extra assisnment or serving on another committee if there is no way they can do justice to the job because of time constraints. They are approachable and friendly, yet are able to say "No" when the situation calls for it.
Are you assertive enough to maintain control over your day?
- You shut the door when it is necessary to concentrate.
- You set boundaries for how much you can do each day.
- You work with the team and hold up your end on projects.
- You block off time for yourself.
Additional positive traits of assertive people include:
- Requesting clarafication rather than going away feeling confused
- Disagreeing mildly rather than pretending to agree for the sake of peace
- Asking why, when something does not seem reasonable
- Speaking up for yourself and saying "No" without feeling guilty
- Sharing successes when you do something worthwhile or interesting
- Being persistent when you have a legitimate complaint
Aggression
Too much assertiveness, on the other hand, is called agression. You recognize aggressive behavior when someone is:
- Rude or bossy
- Does not listen to others' opinions
- Not a team player
- Makes colleagues uncomfortable or fearful
How would you rate yourself according to these categories? If you are struggling with maintaining good time management skills, examine your personal characteristics. Could improving on the traits demonstrated by an assertive person increase your ability to perform and add to your productivity?
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