{"id":25215,"date":"2025-08-28T10:34:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T10:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/projects.rapidmind.in\/navgati\/?p=25215"},"modified":"2025-11-01T08:33:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T08:33:54","slug":"assertiveness-is-a-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projects.rapidmind.in\/navgati\/assertiveness-is-a-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"Assertiveness is a choice"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I work at Navgati, I find new language around my career. And, language is often one way to explore new thoughts, and express new ideas – in this case, to myself.<\/p>\n

While demo-ing an art-based activity, where I spoke of the challenges, growth and missteps of my life, someone pointed out that I was very courageous.<\/p>\n

Me? I\u2019ve never thought of myself as courageous or gutsy. I\u2019m a wimp. I avoid conflict with a passion, I prefer to fix myself than address a situation (and I falsely call that growth), I let the daily boundaries and every day battles go by. I\u2019m not courageous at all. <\/p>\n

And this is both true and untrue.<\/p>\n

I am often led in the big things of life by this question: What is light? <\/strong><\/p>\n

At one Swashikshan gathering (the annual homeschooler\u2019s 5-day unconference), a speaker presented the idea to me of \u2018don\u2019t think of it as \u2018What is right?\u2019, think of it as \u2018What is light?\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

This has led me to make big choices with a happy shrug.<\/p>\n

But while running Assertiveness<\/a> modules as part of our women leadership development programs<\/a> at Navgati, I realized that not everything feels light in the moment. <\/p>\n

Choosing to stand your ground does not feel immediately empowering, saying no to people you like will feel like letting down your standards. When the payoff isn\u2019t clearly visible, when the thing you\u2019re fighting for is your own time or traditions, it\u2019s easier to give in. Women often give in on the \u2018small\u2019 stuff. <\/p>\n

How does it matter if I don\u2019t do this festival my way? It\u2019s always been done like this. Parampara. (Bachchan voice, please!)<\/p>\n

How can I work on sets in films? I\u2019m a woman, and work-life balance is a thing. Let me just be a script writer. Pratishtha.<\/p>\n

I must carry all the load, else things will fall apart. No one else is going to think of all the tiny pieces that keep things running. Anushasan.
\nWe\u2019re trapped in a soap opera of our own making. <\/p>\n

Assertiveness<\/a> isn’t meant to be easy. It’s a choice.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Addressing my fears around impacting relationships, my anxiety around being misunderstood, isn’t pleasant. Having difficult conversations isn’t fun. Being articulate when emotional isn’t easy. <\/p>\n

But if I take a lesson from my life (or SRK), then you’ve just got to lean into the courage. It may feel heavy at first, but once you let go of the expectations, like a balloon, it will be light.<\/p>\n

\n

About the author:<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Meghna Singhee<\/a> is endlessly curious about both people and words. At Navgati, she channels this curiosity into designing learning experiences that are creative, engaging, and thought-provoking. Her work spans women\u2019s leadership, unconscious bias<\/a>, storytelling, communication, and more\u2014always with the intent of making learning meaningful and fun.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

To know more about our leadership development programs write to deepa@navgati.in<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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