Your Personal Bill of Rights: When Someone Crosses a Boundary at Work

Do you tend to explode or say things you don’t mean when someone crosses your boundaries? Or do you isolate yourself and become withdrawn? This could be at home or at work but both reactions to conflict are common and prevent you from being an effective communicator.

We are not taught as children or adults what our rights are as people. And if we do know, sometimes we don’t believe them.  Boundaries are important for your health and career success, so the first step is getting to know your ‘Personal Bill of Rights’.

As you read through this list, note which ones tend to be an issue in your work life (or personal life):

1. I have the right to ask for what I want.
2. I have the right to say no to requests or demands I can’t meet.
3. I have the right to express all my feelings, positive or negative.
4. I have the right to change my mind.
5. I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect.
6. I have the right to follow my own values and standards.
7. I have the right to say no to anything when I feel I am not ready, it is unsafe, or it violates my values.
8. I have the right to determine my own priorities.
9. I have the right not to be responsible for others’ behaviour, actions, feelings, or problems.
10. I have the right to expect honesty from others.
11. I have the right to be angry at someone I love.
12. I have the right to be uniquely myself.
13. I have the right to feel scared and say, “I’m afraid.”
14. I have the right to say, “I don’t know.”
15. I have the right not to give excuses or reasons for my behaviour.
16. I have the right to make decisions based on my feelings.
17. I have the right to my own needs for personal space and time.
18. I have the right to be playful and frivolous.
19. I have the right to be healthier than those around me.
20. I have the right to be in a no abusive environment.
21. I have the right to make friends and be comfortable around people.
22. I have the right to change and grow.
23. I have the right to have my needs and wants respected by others.
24. I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
25. I have the right to be happy.

Take the time to read through this list every day and eventually you will start to believe it and realize that you have what it takes to be assertive.

REFERENCES

Bourne, Edmund J.. The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, “Being Assertive”. New Harbinger
2011. ProQuest Ebook Central, Publications, 2011. ProQuest Ebook Central