Honoring The Self In Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is the action of representing oneself or one's views or interests. It is a skill, and it's also a commitment to actively advocate for the acknowledgement and fulfillment one's needs and desires, which often go unrecognized or underappreciated by others.

Advocacy of any kind takes courage; a willingness to stick one's neck out for what you believe in, or for what you believe is right. Perhaps this is why so many don't self-advocate. To be cliché, but accurate, it's easier said than done. But it can be done - with conviction. 

Conviction means believing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, in who or what you are advocating. It requires resistance to complacency or doubt. These are key components to self-advocacy success that should be of note to women and minorities. Studies show that disparities in pay and promotions aren't just systemic. 

So why do some people self-advocate better than others? Skill and practice aside, self-concepts are a core factor, but social influence, or social proof is another. People do a better job of self-advocating when they are in environments or situations in which they see others self-advocating. Or when encouraged to do so.

Some think of self-advocacy as a form of self-promotion, or a blatant act of self-aggrandizement. Neither is true. Self-advocacy is concerned with the empowerment of oneself; not the mere appearance of it. Self-advocacy is personal. It entails the alignment of the self with what the self deserves but does not seek. Self-advocacy puts greater possibilities, and better realities in reach for the self.

In order to effectively self-advocate, you must first honor the self - yourself! Knowing what you want, believe in, stand for, support, etc. is crucial. The goal for self-advocating is not to get, but to give oneself the best chance to attain more fulfillment through the acknowledgement and consequent support of your interests, intentions, needs, or goals. Start self-advocating more, today!