Setting boundaries and speaking your truth
A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have. - Tim Ferris
I used to avoid difficult conversations. If I dared to speak up, my points were so watered down that the version I presented was very different from the conversation I wanted to have.
On the surface, life is easier when you only have positive things to say. No one complains when you go along with what other people want. You are uncontroversial and easy to be around. Your people pleasing tendencies make it easy for everyone else to have a good time.
This is problematic because having uncomfortable conversations is necessary. I wish someone had told me that. You aren’t supposed to agree with everyone. People are different. Your boundaries on what is acceptable is different to mine.
Lean into those conversations. It’s liberating to speak your truth, especially when it’s not easy. You are your own person and you are right to have standards. You may notice that you find success in many areas of your life when you look after yourself first.
I find it helpful to remember that your willingness to have a hard conversation is coming from a good place. I want to understand the perspective from the other side and I want to know why we are butting heads. It’s a bonding experience to go through this together, even more so if you find a conclusion that you are both happy with.