Your interests must take priority. Avoid the disease to please. Frankly, no one ever said this would be easy, but standing your ground or sticking up for yourself in professional and personal settings is essential to building the confidence required to speak effectively. When the discomfort and anxiety overwhelm, and giving in suddenly seems like the best option - Eric is providing a path to remaining committed to your points, steps you can easily implement to stay the course. Saying what's hard helps you set a personal precedent. You'll get better at it, at every turn.