If you don’t want people to walk all over you, say goodbye to these 8 behaviors

Standing up for yourself can be a tricky business. It’s a fine line between being assertive and coming off as aggressive. The key lies in shedding certain behaviors.

These behaviors, though seemingly insignificant, could be making you an easy target for others to walk all over you. And trust me, that’s not a pleasant experience.

In the upcoming sections, we’ll be discussing 8 such behaviors you need to bid adieu to if you want to prevent people from taking you for granted.

Let’s get started. 

1) Always saying yes

Let’s face it. We all have a desire to be liked and appreciated. This often leads us to say ‘yes’ to every request or favor, even when it’s inconvenient or drains us.

The trouble is, people quickly catch on to this. Before you know it, they’re piling up favors on you, assuming you’ll always oblige. And that’s where they start taking you for granted.

It’s important to understand that saying ‘no’ doesn’t make you a bad person. It’s about respecting your own time and energy.

If you find yourself constantly agreeing to things you’d rather not do, it might be time for a change. Start prioritizing your needs and learn to say ‘no’ when needed.

It’s perfectly okay to put yourself first sometimes. Saying no doesn’t equate to being rude or selfish, it simply means you value your own wellbeing too. 

2) Over-apologizing

I used to be the kind of person who’d apologize for everything. If someone bumped into me, I would say sorry. If a colleague was having a bad day, I’d somehow find a way to apologize. It was as though I believed I was responsible for everything that went wrong around me.

But here’s what I learned: Over-apologizing doesn’t just undermine your confidence, it also diminishes the value of your apologies when they’re genuinely needed.

I realized that by constantly apologizing, I was essentially giving others the message that I was always in the wrong. And that’s not a good place to be in if you want to be respected.

So, I decided to break free from this habit. It wasn’t easy, but with some conscious effort, I managed to save my apologies for when they were truly necessary.

3) Avoiding confrontation

Did you know that elephants, despite their enormous size and strength, can be held in place by a simple rope tied to a small stake in the ground? This is because when they’re young and much smaller, they try to pull away from the stake and fail, leading them to believe as they grow older that it’s impossible to break free.

In a similar way, many of us shy away from confrontations because we’ve had uncomfortable experiences in the past. But just like the elephant, we often underestimate our ability to handle these situations.

Avoiding confrontations may seem like the easier route, but it often leads to unresolved issues and breeds resentment. It also communicates to others that they can treat you however they want without facing any consequences.

Learning to address issues head-on might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s a necessary step towards standing up for yourself.

4) Downplaying your achievements

Have you ever found yourself downplaying your successes because you didn’t want to come off as boastful? Well, I have some news for you. There’s a difference between being boastful and acknowledging your accomplishments.

When you downplay your achievements, you’re essentially telling others that your work, efforts, and skills don’t hold much value. This can lead people to underestimate your capabilities and treat you accordingly.

Celebrating your wins doesn’t mean you’re arrogant. It’s about giving credit where it’s due and showing others what you’re capable of.

Don’t shy away from sharing your achievements. Say goodbye to downplaying your successes if you don’t want people to walk all over you.

5) Neglecting self-care

We often get carried away fulfilling responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and looking after others that we forget to take care of ourselves. I call this the ‘self-sacrificing trap’. It’s a dangerous place to be in because when you neglect your own needs, it sends out a message that you are not important.

When you prioritize others over yourself consistently, they start to do the same. They may begin to overlook your needs and well-being, leading to a situation where they walk all over you.

Self-care isn’t selfish. It is essential. It’s not just about pampering yourself with a spa day or a shopping spree (though those are nice too). It’s about making time for things that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

6) Staying silent

I grew up in a household where children were expected to be seen, not heard. This led me to believe that my voice didn’t matter, and for a long time, I stayed silent even when I wanted to speak up.

However, staying silent not only stifled my expressions but also encouraged people to disregard my opinions and feelings. They knew they could say or do whatever they wanted, and I wouldn’t object.

It took me years to realize that my voice matters, and so does yours. Speaking up isn’t about picking fights or being difficult; it’s about expressing your thoughts, feelings, and boundaries respectfully.

Raise your voice. Let your thoughts be known. Say goodbye to staying silent if you don’t want people to walk all over you.

7) Putting others’ needs first

Being considerate of others’ feelings and needs is a wonderful quality to have. But when it comes at the cost of neglecting your own needs, it can lead to people walking all over you.

When you constantly put others’ needs before your own, it gives them the signal that their wants and desires are more important than yours. This can quickly turn into a pattern where they expect you to always prioritize them.

Your needs are just as important as anyone else’s. It’s okay to put yourself first sometimes and make decisions based on what is best for you.

Sart considering your own needs. Say goodbye to always putting others’ needs first if you don’t want people to walk all over you.

8) Ignoring your intuition

Your intuition is a powerful tool. It’s that gut feeling telling you when something isn’t right. Ignoring it can lead to situations where people take advantage of you.

When you disregard your instincts, you might find yourself in situations that don’t feel right, simply because you’re trying to rationalize or ignore the red flags.

Start trusting your intuition. It’s usually right and can be your best guide in preventing people from walking all over you.