Stop – This is not the time to assert

There is a wonderful acronym to remember when you are considering being assertive.  HALT.  Ask yourself, are you:

• Hungry?
• Angry?
• Lonely?
• Tired?

If you answer yes to any of those questions, then HALT.  Directly deal with your needs, whether eating a snack, taking a deep breath, connecting with someone, or taking a nap.  Only then should you reevaluate your need to assert a boundary.  If the need is still there, then proceed with delivering your assertive message.

Keep in mind that you should only to assert your boundary in person, or Video Chat. It’s important to be able to see any non verbal messages from the other person.