5 Tips to Help You Stand Up for Yourself at Work
"You're too nice!"
Chances are you're reading this because someone has said that about you. It's confusing and even frustrating to hear because when did being a nice person become a bad thing? The world needs nice people like you. Society celebrates mean behavior far too often nowadays. Nice people are a breath of fresh air.
But, have you ever found yourself drained because it feels like you keep giving and get nothing in return? Have you ever felt a little resentful because you're always the one the boss asks to take on extra work? Have you ever felt taken for granted because your coworkers come to you for help, but never have time to help you? Then it's time to stand up for yourself, friend! It's time to protect the value you bring as a nice person. Here are 5 tips to help you do that:
recognize you can improve
The right mindset is key if you want to learn to stand up for yourself. Remind yourself you can grow in any area you set your mind to. Just because you didn't stand up for yourself in the past, doesn't mean you can't stand up for yourself now.
decide what success looks like for you
What are you trying to achieve by standing up for yourself? Is it to address disrespectful behavior from a coworker? Is it to set boundaries with your boss around work hours? Knowing the outcome you want can help you focus your efforts and make standing up for yourself less overwhelming.
be honest about how you feel
Be truthful about your feelings rather than dismissing or denying them. It can feel easier to give in or go with the flow because you don’t want to upset or disappoint anyone. But when you do this, you’re telling yourself your feelings aren’t important. Remember this isn’t true! Your feelings are valid.
practice assertiveness
Start to say no to small things at work and replace apologetic language with more assertive language. Small changes like this may seem trivial, but they add up. You’ll start to feel more confident because you're being true to yourself.
find an accountability partner
Sometimes old habits die hard. A trustworthy friend or mentor can remind you to stand up for yourself when they see you slipping into old habits. This can help you continue to progress with standing up for yourself.
Standing up for yourself may feel uncomfortable at first. With time and persistence, you'll feel more confident about it. Remember standing up for yourself protects you from burnout and frees you to be the wonderfully nice person you are!
Leah Hird is an associate editor for Hope Magazine. She is also a paralegal and freelance copywriter. She is passionate about uplifting and inspiring women. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time in her yard and tending to her houseplants.