Women who are assertive and always get what they want in life usually display these 9 specific behaviors

Ethan Sterling by Ethan Sterling | August 16, 2024, 1:15 pm

Being assertive is not about being pushy or domineering.

It’s about standing up for yourself and voicing your desires and needs – and it’s something that successful women do exceptionally well.

These women have a knack for getting what they want, not because they’re manipulative, but because they’ve mastered specific behaviors that establish respect and influence over others.

Today, I’m going to share with you 9  specific behaviors that these assertive women often display.

These are behaviors that you can incorporate into your own life to boost your assertiveness and achieve what you want.

You might be surprised to learn that you’ve already mastered some of them.

So, let’s dive in!

1) They communicate clearly

Successful, assertive women understand that the key to getting what they want is plain and straightforward communication.

No one is a mind reader. If you want somethin g, you have to express it openly.

And assertive women do this exceptionally well.

They don’t beat around the bush or drop subtle hints hoping that others will catch on.

Instead, they state their needs and desires clearly and directly, making it easier for others to understand and respond.

This doesn’t mean being rude or overly aggressive.

It’s about expressing what you want in a calm, respectful, and confident manner.

By communicating clearly, these women are able to effectively influence others and steer situations towards their desired outcome.

And you can do the same. The key is to say what you mean and mean what you say.

2) They’re not afraid to say no

I’ll share a personal example for this one.

A few years ago, I was working on a project with a tight deadline.

A colleague asked me to take on an additional task. I knew that if I accepted, my own work would suffer.

In the past, I would have said yes out of fear of seeming unhelpful or disappointing others.

But I had learned the value of assertiveness and the importance of setting boundaries.

So, I politely declined. I explained that while I would love to help, my current workload wouldn’t allow it without compromising the quality of my work.

My colleague understood and found another solution. And my own work didn’t suffer.

Confident individuals know their limits and aren’t afraid to say no when necessary.

It’s not about being selfish or uncooperative; it’s about respecting your own time and energy.

By saying no when necessary, you maintain control over your own schedule and responsibilities.

3) They embrace failure as part of growth

Did you know that J.K. Rowling, one of the most successful authors of all time, was rejected by twelve different publishers before Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was finally accepted?

Successful women aren’t immune to failure.

On the contrary, they understand that failure is simply a stepping stone on the path to success.

These women don’t view failure as a dead end.

Instead, they see it as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow.

They’re not afraid to take risks or step out of their comfort zone because they know that even if things don’t work out as planned, they’ll gain valuable experience and insight.

So don’t fear failure. Embrace it.

Each setback is a lesson that brings you one step closer to achieving your goals.

4) They maintain a positive self-image

Assertive women who consistently get what they want in life have a very important trait in common: they believe in themselves.

This isn’t about arrogance or thinking they’re better than others.

It’s about having a solid sense of self-worth and confidence in their abilities.

They understand their strengths and are aware of their weaknesses.

They don’t let negative feedback or criticism erode their self-belief.

Instead, they use it as a source of learning and improvement.

Maintaining a positive self-image is crucial because it dictates how you interact with the world around you.

If you believe in your worth and abilities, you’ll be more likely to stand up for what you want and need.

Your perception of yourself sets the tone for how others perceive and treat you.

So, hold your head high and believe in your worth.

5) They set clear goals

Women who make things happen in life have a clear vision of what they want.

They set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals.

These aren’t vague desires or wishful thinking.

They are well-defined targets that provide a clear direction and purpose.

They also break down these goals into smaller, manageable tasks and create a roadmap to achieve them.

This not only keeps them focused but also provides a sense of achievement as they tick off each task.

Setting clear goals is crucial because it gives you a clear sense of direction and purpose.

It motivates you to take action and helps you track your progress.

6) They nurture their relationships

At the heart of an assertive woman’s success is her ability to build and maintain strong, healthy relationships.

These women understand that no one achieves anything worthwhile alone.

They know the value of having a supportive network of people who believe in them, challenge them, and help them grow.

They invest time and energy in nurturing these relationships.

They listen, show empathy, and offer support when it’s needed.

They’re also not afraid to ask for help or lean on others when necessary.

Success is not just about getting what you want but also about helping others get what they want.

By nurturing your relationships, you build a network of allies who will support you in your journey towards achieving your goals.

7) They practice self-care

There was a time when I used to work long hours, rarely taking breaks and neglecting my health.

I thought that by pushing myself harder, I would be more successful.

But all it led to was burnout.

Assertive women understand the importance of self-care.

They know that in order to give their best, they need to feel their best.

This means prioritizing physical health through regular exercise and a balanced diet, as well as mental health through relaxation and mindfulness practices.

They also understand the importance of taking breaks and setting time aside for relaxation and hobbies.

This not only helps to prevent burnout but also boosts creativity and productivity.

8) They stand their ground

Confident women are firm in their beliefs and values.

They don’t let others sway them easily or pressure them into doing something they don’t want to do.

They have a strong sense of self and are confident in their decisions.

This doesn’t mean they’re stubborn or close-minded.

They’re open to other perspectives, but they don’t allow themselves to be pushed around.

They’re not afraid to disagree or voice their opinions, even if it goes against the majority.

They respect others’ views but also expect others to respect theirs.

Standing your ground is an important aspect of being assertive.

It shows that you value your own thoughts and feelings and won’t compromise them for the sake of pleasing others.

9) They never stop learning

The most successful, assertive women understand that learning is a lifelong journey.

They’re always seeking new knowledge, skills, and experiences to help them grow and achieve their goals.

They’re not afraid to ask questions or seek advice.

They read books, attend seminars, and continually look for opportunities to learn and improve.

They understand that the more they know, the more confident and assertive they can be in pursuing what they want.

Never stop learning.

It’s the key to becoming more assertive and getting what you want in life.

Final thoughts: It’s about self-respect

The essence of being an assertive woman who gets what she wants in life is deeply rooted in self-respect.

Each of the behaviors we’ve discussed, whether it’s clear communication, setting boundaries, embracing failure, or continuous learning, all stem from a core belief in one’s worth and capabilities.

Remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Being assertive isn’t about pushing others around or always getting your way.

It’s about respecting yourself enough to stand up for your needs and desires.

It’s about believing you’re worthy of success and happiness.

So as you reflect on these behaviors, consider how you can incorporate them into your own life.

You have the power to be assertive and get what you want in life.

It starts with respecting and believing in yourself.