We take these learned patterns of relationships into our adult lives. Children who are not encouraged to 'be themselves', 'express themselves' or 'assert themselves' grow into adults who:

• Are very sensitive to other people's moods and are exceptionally good at reading other people and always know the truth of how someone is feeling.
• If there is the slightest risk that someone will become angry or upset they will immediately back down from expressing any of their own needs, feelings or opinions.
• Say what they think the other person wants them to say
• Be whatever they think another person wants them to be
• Have a poor sense of self
• Are indecisive
• Feel dependent on others to get their needs met.
• Feel powerless and hopeless much of the time.
• Have low self esteem
• Have little sense of themselves.
• Experience being 'anxious to please' a lot of the time.

So, learning to be assertive deals with the above issues.

You will be able to accept yourself, be honest with yourself and other people as well as make the way you feel on the inside the same as how you are on the outside.