Respect was invented to cover the empty place
where love should be.
Do you ever have those moments when you feel like your first name should be “Doormat?” Or that sometimes it feels as though people are taking advantage of you on a regular basis? And of course, you wonder to yourself, what am I doing to allow this to happen? If you responded yes to any of that, perhaps you feel as though you are not getting the respect of others. And that is what we have come to talk about today.
Respect is not something you can make happen. It has to be earned. By the same token, no person deserves to be taken advantage of by another. It is possible for you to change how others treat you. Here are a few tips about earning a little more respect.
1. Think “Golden Rule.” Most of people are familiar with the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It is a wonderful philosophy to adhere to when you are attempting to garner respect. Always treat others as you expect to be treated. People will tend to reciprocate and treat you the same way. If they do not, then you can pull back from the relationships over time.
2. Think of yourself. An example of this might be telling your friend that you cannot (insert do not want to) babysit her 4-year old so that she can get her nails done because you are busy with your own personal appointments and schedule.
You must remember to make yourself a priority along with everything and everyone else you prioritize. If people see that you respect yourself, then you should ultimately be respected, too.
3. Think about your posture. Check out your own body language. When speaking face to face with someone, portray the fact that you are strong and competent. Stand up straight, look people in the eye, and speak forcefully but don’t overwhelm them.
Those people who make a habit of staring at the floor while speaking, avoid making eye contact, and whisper their words are telling others that they don’t really believe they deserve respect and attention. Always remember to stand tall and proud. You are important and you deserve to be recognized.
4. Think and speak positively. In addition to having strong body language, the words you use to express yourself are also extremely important when you are trying to earn the respect of others. Learn to speak in positively and authoritatively. Do not go overboard and be boastful, but do not make the mistake of demeaning or belittling yourself or your accomplishments.
You want to leave behind the impression that that you are an intelligent, well spoken and confident person. If you portray yourself in this manner others will treat you the same way.
5. Think about your “crew.” Surround yourself with the right people. Let’s be honest, there are people in this world who are disrespectful to everyone they meet and about everything. No matter what you do to command respect from these individuals, nothing may work. You need to spend some time thinking who you are spending time with. They may not be the kind of people who have your best interests at heart.
6. Think about how you respond. You have to learn to stand up for yourself. If people are disrespectful to you, how do you respond to them or the situation? Do you say something to the offending person or do you just go on with your life? People most often treat us in the way in which we allow ourselves to be treated.
If you take the initiative to approach the person and voice your opinion and unhappiness, the chances are good that person won’t treat you that same way in the future. And it is not about being confrontational, but saying something as simple as, “I don’t appreciate how you’re speaking to me” can go a long way.
We all have a desire and need to be respected. By making some small changes, you will be able to open yourself to receiving the respect of others, while learning how to also express your respect.
Thoughts?
Photo Credit: deeplifequotes via Compfight cc
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