Chat GPT Is My Secret Weapon For Becoming More Assertive

And all I asked it for was a simple translation…

I have always struggled with being assertive.

In fact, I both envy and admire people who master the skill. The ones who can let it roll off of their tongues like butter, somehow making others respect them more after they have committed to saying their peace.

Me, I tend to avoid conflict, beat around the bush, and apologize for random things like the table corner I just bumped into.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t just say yes to everything, and I do know where my limits lie, but I am not as comfortably assertive as I aspire to be.

But all that has started to change. And in the least expected way I could imagine…

I’m not against technology, nor am I overly reliant on it. Or so I believe… When Chat GPT came out, amongst other artificially intelligent bot tools, I was reluctant to jump on board.

It felt weird and I’m not gonna lie, a little scary.

But then I realized I could use the thing for mundane tasks like translating a document from Portuguese to English, improving headlines for my articles, or organizing an idea I had into something minimally coherent.

Soon after, I realized that Chat GPT was more than just a tool. It was an indirect and purely accidental teacher.

A very happy accident indeed!

As I used it for these simple tasks, it slowly taught me how to be more direct and assertive with my communication. It forced me to be specific and not beat around the bush. It pushed me to be very clear about what I want and how I want it, even if that means saying no and asking for 5 different versions of the same thing.

“Please make this more relatable and informal.”

“Please make this title less cheesy and predictable, and more out-of-the-box.”

“Give me 10 more options, and make them more creative.”

“Even more creative please”

For instance, when translating a document, I would ask Chat GPT to use a specific tone and style, and I would be clear on the purpose of the translation.

It also always asked me to provide feedback on the quality and accuracy of the response. Knowing that it wasn’t a human with emotions on the other side, I was more than comfortable providing direct feedback.

“This is not quite what I wanted. Can you try again, but make it more in line with European Portuguese?”

It made me think carefully about what I was trying to achieve and how to express that goal in concrete directions.

As I worked with the tool, it challenged me to be more creative and original. It challenged me to think more intently about what it was that I actually wanted.

Of course, when I am doing these tasks myself, I have no problems being specific or changing my mind 50 times until I get what I want.

But to be able to be directive and ask that of someone (or thing) that is not me was a revelation to me.

I found myself being effortlessly confident and assertive in my requests and communication of ideas. I was beginning to develop a stronger voice and a clearer vision.

I was also working on my fear of rejection and criticism. By not being afraid of the bot rejecting me based on my demands, I learned that being assertive does not mean being rude or aggressive. It means being honest, respectful, and assertive.

I learned that being assertive does not mean being rude or aggressive. It means being honest, respectful, and assertive.

Bot is always happy to help me, even when I am direct and not “overly sweet” to it. It doesn’t need me to pamper it up or be extra grateful. It just needs me to be clear and respectful.

Just. Like. Humans…

Of course, a little extra emotion and sensitivity is needed when dealing with an actual person, but not to the extent that I thought.

I discovered with my good old bot friend that being assertive doesn’t mean being cold and insensitive. It just means being honest and intentional.

So there you have it.

Chat GPT is not just a tool for writing and translating. It is a tool for personal growth and empowerment.

It is my secret weapon for becoming more assertive. And all I asked it for was a simple translation…

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