No one walks through life thinking that everything is easy. No matter what circumstances you were born into, you will face challenges throughout your lifetime that must be overcome. Anything worth doing in life is worth doing with 100% effort.
At some point, you must come to terms with the fact that you have to work hard to earn what you want. If you want to achieve the highest level of physical fitness, then you have to make changes to your diet and exercise plan. If you want to become the owner of a business, then you have to learn business management and either start a brand or accrue enough capital to buy one. Few things in life are given, so you must be willing to do what it takes to earn them.
Self-advocacy is a skill that can help you achieve your goals. It is the concept of standing up for yourself and claiming what you deserve as a human. Let’s discuss the value of self-advocacy and how it can improve your quality of life.
Getting Paid What You Are Worth
If you want to do the things you enjoy in life, then you probably have to earn an income. Unfortunately, almost everything costs money. If you have a specific lifestyle that you want to achieve, then you need a salary that can match that. Sometimes, the jobs that we have are not providing us with enough income.
Maybe you have been at the same company for a long time but have yet to see a substantial raise in your pay. Learning to advocate for yourself can give you the confidence needed to ask for a raise when you know the value you bring to the company is outpacing your salary.
Improved Mental Health
When you learn to advocate for yourself, you quickly become a more effective problem solver. Rather than accepting circumstances as they are, you are no longer afraid to create a better situation for yourself. This can go a long way in improving your mental health.
Often, when you feel like you have lost control of your life, your mental health can suffer. This is especially true for men, who are often expected to be more decisive and in control, which has contributed to the mental health stigma for men. By advocating for yourself, you can take back a little control and provide a boost to your mental health as a result.
The Ability to Fight For What You Deserve
Others may not always have your best interest in mind, whether they are individuals or businesses. Companies are out to make money, so if you are wronged in the process of them having greater profits, you are not getting what you have earned. For example, let’s say you are a veteran whose VA disability claim was denied.
You could accept the denial and try to live with the consequences, or you could look out for your interests by filing an appeal. You deserve the benefits you are owed, especially with your service to this country, so it is crucial that you seek out assistance to file your appeal correctly.
When you focus on self-advocacy, you are developing the skills needed to fight for what you deserve in life, even when others deny it to you initially.
Greater Confidence in Yourself
Learning to self-advocate has another very valuable side effect; confidence. When you successfully stand up for yourself, your confidence can skyrocket. This level of confidence may open up new opportunities for you to achieve your goals, whether they are professional aspirations, health-related objectives, or financial milestones you hope to reach.
Start By Speaking Up For Others
Standing up for yourself can be scary at first, especially for more introverted personalities. Maybe you lack the confidence to advocate for yourself. A great way to build up this muscle is to speak up for others who have been wronged.
Maybe you can take up a cause that you are passionate about and get involved with a non-profit organization to help others. If you see someone being treated unfairly in public, consider intervening to help them out. As you learn to stand up for others, you will be developing the skills needed to advocate for yourself as well.
Self-Advocacy Can Open Up Many Doors
Life is all about taking the opportunities that rise before you. If you lack the confidence needed to advocate for yourself, then the number of opportunities in your path may be limited.
Fighting for what you deserve can increase your confidence, improve your mental health, and open up more doors than you thought possible for your future. Learn these skills and start practicing self-advocacy so you can make the most of your time on Earth.
