Use The Anchor Technique for assertiveness

 

Welcome, fellow Professional Introverts and others!

Today, we are going to talk about The Anchor Technique.

An introvert can use the anchor technique, a tool borrowed from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), to assert themselves in situations that introverts usually struggle with, like meetings and ordering food.

Here is a brief overview of what it is and how it is done:

The Anchor Technique conditions your mind to associate a physical sensation with a desired emotional state.

Here’s how it works for assertiveness:

1. Identify your Anchor: Choose a simple physical action you can easily perform. This could be something like touching your thumb and forefinger together, taking a deep breath, or adopting a confident posture.
2. Set the Anchor: Recall a situation where you felt calm, assertive, and successful. Relive the experience in detail, focusing on all the sights, sounds, and feelings associated with that confident state. While at the peak of this memory, perform your chosen physical action (the anchor).
3. Test and Refine: In a quiet, relaxed setting, practice activating the anchor (your physical action) and see if it evokes the feelings of confidence you linked to it. Repeat steps 2 and 3 if needed to solidify the association.
4. Use the Anchor: Discreetly use your anchor when faced with a situation that might challenge your assertiveness. The familiar physical sensation can trigger the feelings of confidence you linked to it, helping you respond more assertively.

Using the anchor technique, you can train your mind to access a resourceful state of assertiveness on demand, making it easier to stand up for yourself in different situations.

My anchor, as an example

I press my thumb and forefinger, reminding me of one of my earliest client meetings in which I contributed significantly as a junior team member.

Replaying the anchor helps me increase my confidence and become assertive.

Where did I learn this from?

I learned the Anchor Technique from Assert Yourself by Bloomsbury Publishing. The book has more techniques that can help you become assertive as a Professional Introvert.

Buy the book here* ↗

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