Assertive

My Grandma Hancock once told me a story about chocolate cake. According to my memory of the story, when she was a little girl one of her friend’s mothers offered her a piece of cake. Now did little Lynette want a piece of that big scrumptious cake? Of course she did! But in an effort to perhaps not sound rude, or not appear overzealous to inherit the prize, little Lynette replied, “I don’t care.” To which the friend’s mother responded, “you don’t care, I don’t care”, and put the cake away.

I remember Grandma telling us this story in an effort to teach us assertiveness. Another figure in my life who is assertive is my mother. If the price comes up wrong on the register, if there’s a deal to be had, or something that she fairly wants becomes available, then she is not afraid to speak up and get it. Assertiveness is a beautiful gift.

A phrase that has governed my life is, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. It’s so true! In most every venture, you’re going to be worse off if you never try. Every time you ask out a girl, every time you apply for a scholarship, every time you try out for a part, every time you ask for that last slice of pizza, every time you would prefer to do one thing over another, IT’S WORTH A SHOT! Because in not taking the shot you are guaranteed failure. What are you afraid of? Failure itself? Embarrassment? Who cares! Get over your pride and start living the way you want to and start going for the things that are going to help you and others out the most.

Now I’m not saying be aggressive and mean and step in people’s toes in an angry rage all the time. Assertive people are kind, polite, giving, and often the most successful people in the world. Think about it. Do you think that any president, effective world leader, or general got to where they are by passively “accepting their lot”? No way! Do you think they stepped on toes and stormed to their position? No way! They are assertive people.

So next time you see a pretty girl, go ask her on a date. Do what you want to do. Next time your friend offers you to stick around for lunch, then stick around! Of course you’d like a free lunch. They just offered it to you. They’ll probably enjoy serving it to you anyways.

Go get ‘em.