This issue: Y Levelling the playing field between buyers and business (Y Fin Free And more! Have an idea? Contact: Chitwan Khosla, Features Editor M features@theotherpress.ca www.theotherpress.ca Learning the social art of self-advocacy » Never dodge difficulties—meet them, greet them, and beat them Chitwan Khosla Features Editor © features@theotherpress.ca Gor advocacy is an ability to understand your natural traits and needs, stand up for your rights and responsibilities, speak for yourself, make decisions regarding the way you want to live your life, and It is an important social skill that needs to be cultivated and nurtured especially in the pre-teen and teenage years, because adolescence is the most vulnerable period to aggression. In addition to that are the lack of knowledge and experience, confidence, and effective communication that a lot of teenagers experience. Consequently, teens are most likely to be misunderstood by bosses. Most of the youngsters in their early-20s also fail to reach out to others for support. Asa result, at school, home, or in the workplace, rather than getting people on their side they push them away. They fail to convey their thoughts and emotions in an effective way. Let us take an example of youngsters whose actions have annoyed their boss at work and are afraid it might spoil their future prospects. Instead of explaining how they feel, they start avoiding their boss, who feels further offended by their behaviour. On the flip-side, self-advocates would go and confront their boss without much delay and speak for themselves. They could recapitulate their whole action, systematically and chronologically, without being step-by-step. In all probability, the misunderstandings would dissolve in the process. So, self-advocacy skills help one or difficulty, or when an issue needs to be resolved. Even if self-advocacy is a lifelong learning endeavour, the : Me : : a positive note even if you : are unable to resolve your : differences. Use the golden : words: please, thank you, and : sorry! process of learning it should begin at an early age by offering students opportunities to make choices at basic levels, such as where they would like to spend their weekend; where they : would like to study; what do : they want to eat ona particular : day; to whom would they turn : for help in times of need. With the passage of time, advanced skills could be added: : setting a goal; planning a : strategy to succeed; overcoming : limitations; resisting outside : influences and pressure; : communicating with parents, : teachers, tutors, mentors, or assertively communicate it all to } t others without being aggressive. : P&S for support in case of : difficulty or obstacles; making : the right decisions; and, finally, : accepting the responsibility for : their actions. There are no set rules for self-advocacy but let’s just talk : of using correct words. Never : use “you” when it comes to : solving a conflict. The repetitive : use of this word psychologically : conveys to the other person : that you are blaming him. Use : indirect approach to address their peers, teachers, parents, or the conflict. Instead of telling : your teacher, “Your tests are too : hard,” say, “Iam unable to show : my knowledge in tests. Please : guide me.” Instead of telling a : friend, “You were so rude last : night,” say, “I got upset after our : conversation last night.” There are times when you : need to discuss your problems : with your boss or with another : authority. Focus on the problem : and how it bothers you rather : than emphasizing the cause : of the problem. Offer valid : solutions and throw the ball in : their court. Mentally prepare : them to agree with you by being : polite and to the point. When resolving a personal matter with a friend or a family : member, never get straight to : the point instantly. Always judge : the mood and the orientation : of the person you want to talk : with. Revisiting the incident : that caused misunderstanding aggressive or offensive, and have : : > it be acknowledged by their boss : °F differences helps bring both : the parties on the same page. It : also helps with understanding : how the differences can be : sorted. You won't always emerge greatly in the case of an obstacle : 45 the winner but you definitely : will be the one who benefits. : You will never regret that you : didn’t speak for yourself. At last, always end on THE OTHER PRESS IS HIRING! (4 Layout Manager Do you have an eye for layout and design, or a knack for graphics and a panache for print? We want to hear from you! 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