If you’re looking for some strategies on how to be more outspoken, then you’ll love this article.
Do you want to feel more confident in expressing yourself and having others listen to your opinions? Do you find it hard to assert your viewpoint in conversations? Being outspoken, when done correctly, can make you stand out. Outspokenness means being honest and direct while still being tactful and respectful. It doesn’t mean sharing every aspect of your personal life or being negative and critical. It’s a positive attribute to have.
How To Be More Outspoken:
1. Writing in a journal can help you better understand yourself and what you believe, think, feel, and want.
To start, try setting aside 15 minutes or more each night before bed to journal. Not only will you gain self-knowledge, but it can also boost your self-confidence which is important for being outspoken. To begin, consider journaling about the following topics:
- What would be the perfect birthday gift for you and why?
- What is the bravest thing you have ever done?
- Who do you admire the most and why?
- How would you like to be remembered?
2. To be outspoken, you must have confidence in yourself and your opinions.
Believe that your voice matters and that what you have to say will contribute to any conversation. When we have different perspectives, it makes conversations and debates more interesting. If you find it difficult to be confident, start by discussing topics that you are knowledgeable and passionate about.
For example, if you are a martial artist, talk about martial arts, or if you enjoy gardening, talk about gardening. This will help you feel more comfortable speaking about it, and as you build confidence, you can branch out to more abstract topics such as government, ethics, or religion.
3. Achieving confidence is one thing, but if you’re naturally shy, it can be hard to speak up.
However, pushing past your natural inclination towards shyness can open up new opportunities and choices. One popular TV show, Seinfeld, had an episode called “The Opposite” where the main character George decides to do the exact opposite of what his instincts tell him to do.
By the end of the episode, he goes from being unemployed and living with his parents to getting a job with the New York Yankees and getting his own place. So, consider trying the opposite of your natural tendencies to overcome shyness and open up new possibilities for yourself.
4. Discover what you’re good at by identifying your strengths.
They often align with your interests and passions. When you are passionate about something, it becomes easier to speak up and express your views. Once you know your strengths, you can confidently take the lead in projects or activities that utilize those strengths. To find out what your strengths are, consider asking yourself these questions:
- What am I passionate about?
- What are my hobbies?
- What are my best subjects in school?
- In what areas do I excel at my job?
5. Form your own opinions, so you don’t sound uninformed.
It will be difficult to be outspoken if you have nothing to say. Think about your views on current issues and topics that are relevant to your social circle.
Remember, it’s okay to not have an opinion on something, that in itself can be a stance. If you don’t have a strong opinion on a topic, do some research and form your own thoughts. It’s alright to say “I have other priorities right now” or “I do not have an opinion about that” when it comes to topics you don’t find important or engaging.
SEE ALSO: How To Validate Someone’s Feelings: [17 Helpful Tips]
6. Support your opinions with evidence.
Some people may feel hesitant to express their opinions because they lack knowledge on a topic. To overcome this, research and gather facts to back up your viewpoint.
For example, if the topic of healthcare reform frequently comes up in conversations with friends and family, read up on it and form your own opinion. By having facts to back up your opinion, you’ll feel more confident expressing it.
7. Be selective about the issues you speak up on.
It’s not beneficial to constantly force your opinions on others or to always try to be the loudest voice in the room. Instead, focus on the topics that you feel strongly about and limit your commentary to those.
Wait until you truly care about an issue before speaking out about it. If you’re constantly giving out opinions or arguing, you may come across as combative and annoying. The goal is to make people listen to and care about what you have to say, not to overwhelm them with your views.
8. Recognize that being reserved has its advantages.
Western culture often encourages extroversion, and the workplace values those who speak up and form strong relationships. However, it’s perfectly fine to be reserved as well. Sometimes it can be a more diplomatic and effective way to communicate.
The key is to find a balance. Being outspoken all the time should not be the goal, instead, speak up when you feel your viewpoint is not being represented or needs to be defended. If not, it’s okay to remain reserved.
9. Keep an open mind.
This is essential for respectful communication. To effectively express your opinion and be taken seriously, it’s important to avoid coming across as bigoted, closed-minded, or arrogant.
Listen to others’ perspectives and consider them before, during, and after expressing your own views. It’s just as powerful to admit “You’re right, I didn’t think of that,” as it is to present a plethora of irrefutable facts. Many people can launch into a heated argument, but fewer can admit that they might be wrong.
10. Practice with a close friend.
Being outspoken can be mistaken as being impolite and pushy. To master the skill, choose a friend who knows you well and cares about you. Practice expressing yourself honestly and confidently with them. A trusted friend can give you feedback and help you become more comfortable with being outspoken.
Being outspoken might sound like: “I am passionate about astronomy and I believe studying the night sky can provide us with valuable insights.”
Being impolite or pushy would sound like: “Anyone who doesn’t appreciate the night sky is foolish.”
SEE ALSO: How To Keep a Secret To Yourself: 23 Practical Strategies
11. Let go of your fears and don’t let them hold you back.
It can be hard to be yourself when you’re worried about what others might think or say about you. But it’s important to remember that when you have done your research and have a clear understanding of something, you can express yourself confidently and not be as concerned about others’ opinions.
12. Be considerate and respectful of others when expressing yourself.
Being tactful means being able to speak openly (1) while also being sensitive to other people’s feelings. Knowing when and how to express yourself can be a matter of being tactful.
For example, it would be disrespectful to express your disbelief in a religious afterlife at a church memorial service for a family member. In that situation, it would be more tactful to keep your opinions to yourself.
13. Be able to express yourself clearly and effectively.
Being well-spoken can help ensure that others understand your arguments and ideas. Many people focus too much on how something is said, and miss the actual message.
To avoid this problem, try to speak clearly and organize your thoughts in a way that makes sense. You can learn from well-spoken people, like news anchors, and try to emulate their speaking style.
Being well-spoken doesn’t always mean using big or fancy words. It can be just as effective to be concise and to-the-point, as long as you’re providing complete information. For example, instead of saying “The tuna industry is an abomination,” and leaving it at that, you should explain why you feel that way by saying something like “The tuna industry is completely unsustainable. If we don’t take action, it will be gone in 10 years. Humans are disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem.”
14. Know when it’s time to move on from an argument or conversation.
Along with being selective about which issues to engage with, you should also be able to recognize when it’s time to end a discussion. Once you’ve shared your thoughts, don’t keep repeating yourself or trying to convince others.
It’s also important to be aware of the emotions of the people you are talking to. If someone seems to be getting upset or annoyed, it’s best to back off and revisit the topic later if necessary.
15. Practice and repetition are key to developing any skill, including being outspoken.
By speaking up regularly, it will become more natural and comfortable for you. Over time, you’ll become less self-conscious and less afraid of others’ reactions. Remember that speaking your mind is a natural part of human interaction.
Start by aiming to express your opinion once a day, and gradually increase the frequency as you become more comfortable. If you find yourself speaking up too much, it’s okay to take a step back. If anyone asks about the change in your behavior, be honest and tell them that you are working on being more outspoken.
SEE ALSO: How To Stop Being Needy In Relationships: 10 Helpful Ways
16. It’s easy to share your thoughts and opinions with the people close to you, but it takes more courage to speak up in professional settings.
However, it’s important to do so, as it can help you advance in your career. Being outspoken at work is especially important if you want to be considered for promotions or other opportunities.
Remember that practice makes perfect and the more you do something, the more comfortable it becomes. Start by speaking up at least once a day, and increase the frequency as it becomes easier. It is important to express your thoughts, even if it feels uncomfortable at first, as that way you will become a more vocal part of the team. With time, you will become more confident in speaking up and expressing your ideas.
17. Having open and intellectual discussions can be enjoyable and enlightening, but it’s important to remember that the goal is not to convince others to adopt your point of view.
It’s not productive or respectful to try to force your opinions on others and relentlessly pursue their agreement. Instead, the goal should be to share your perspective and engage in a respectful exchange of ideas.
18. Remember that your opinions and views are not the only ones that matter.
Some people may have a hard time listening to others and not trying to persuade them to adopt their point of view. This is often because they are convinced that they are absolutely correct. However, it’s important to remember that the other person feels the same way.
If you are engaging in a debate or discussion, try to keep an open mind and remember that there are multiple perspectives. Avoid engaging with people who are unwilling to consider other viewpoints and who are only interested in pushing their own agenda. Let them know that a one-sided view is not conducive to a productive and respectful conversation. And if they are not willing to listen, it’s better to walk away.
19. When expressing your opinions, be respectful of others and avoid putting them down.
When you encounter people who have different opinions (2) or who say something that surprises you, don’t resort to hurtful or dismissive comments such as “you’re acting crazy” or “that’s so dumb.” This kind of language doesn’t make you look good and it doesn’t help to constructively engage with the other person.
It’s important to remember that everyone has a right to their own opinions and it’s important to respect that. Be diplomatic when discussing sensitive topics such as weight loss, and be honest and direct when expressing your own opinions.
20. Listen to others when engaging in a conversation or debate.
Listening first can help you understand the perspectives of others, and it may also help you avoid repeating points that have already been made.
Nelson Mandela once said, “I always try to listen to what others have to say before expressing my own opinion. Often, my opinion will be a reflection of what I heard in the discussion.”
By listening carefully to others, you will be able to better understand their points of view and make sure that your own contributions are meaningful and relevant. This approach can also help you avoid misunderstandings or conflicts that may arise if you don’t take the time to listen.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article about how to be more outspoken. I sincerely hope its contents have been a good help to you.
