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Assertiveness is a very effective technique for preventing assaults. Often, an attacker will test a potential victim before determining if the person is a candidate for attack. They may do this by trying to move close to the prospective victim in some manner, or even touching the person to see how he or she reacts.
Being assertive and telling a person to keep their distance is a great way to set boundaries and prevent an incident from escalating to violence.
Here are a few ways to practice communicating assertiveness.
1. Examine your speech. Do you stutter? Do you constantly rephrase sentences? Do you let your sentences trail off into silence? Once examined, try to eliminate those things that make you less assertive. Try speaking more slowly. Choose words with attention to their exact meaning. Don’t be wishy-washy. Say what you mean.
2. Is your voice soft and breathy? Learn to project your voice from your diaphragm the way singers and actors on stage do. In martial arts, the kiyap is doing the same thing.
3. Does your body belie your words with nervous movements or a tentative demeanor? Pay attention to what you are doing with your body. Focus on standing tall, keeping still, and making your movements purposeful.
4. If you are really having trouble being assertive, you can enroll in an assertiveness training program or public speaking course. Joining a group like Toastmasters International can be great for this.
5. Watch movies with your favorite assertive characters and use them as role models. And when no one is looking, go ahead and act out your favorite scenes and be assertive. The practicing will help you later.
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