Respect. It’s a word everyone knows. Some people have to earn their way to be respected and others are naturally respected by others the moment you meet them. Whether you believe that you are lacking respect or just want more respect for yourself, these are five ways to gain more respect from the people who matter:
Start with yourself
You can’t ask others to respect you unless you respect yourself first. Do you know your boundaries? What are your priorities? Are you able to say “no” without feeling guilty? Do you set time aside for your mental health? There are many things that we do to garner respect, but none other is more important than respecting yourself. Preston Ni, a professor, coach, trainer, and course designer in interpersonal effectiveness says, “If your life is your own to choose, then with each moment you have the power to make a good decision. No one can take this power away from you unless you allow it.”
You don’t have to be nice all the time
Being nice is a respectable trait, but not when you are nice and people-pleasing all the time. If you don’t respect yourself or your own time, how can others respect you? When your niceness feels like a betrayal or burden to you, then it’s time to take a moment and think. You have to remember that you are important, too, Ni says. He recommends others saying these affirmations to yourself if you are a people-pleaser:
- Self-Confirmation #1: “If I allow myself my own time, I can take better care of myself as well as others.”
- Self-Confirmation #2: “If I treat myself with respect, I will attract more respectful relationships in my life.”
Learn how to say no without feeling guilty
Ni notes that saying no without feeling guilty is one of the key signs for effective communication. “It allows you to stand your ground and keep your peace.” When you learn to say no, you say yes to prioritizing things that matter to you.
Keep your promises
No one likes or even respects a person who is flaky and always goes back on their word. It’s true what they say, “Actions speak louder than words.” If you can keep your promise when you make them, then you are well on your way to gaining more respect from those who matter.
Don’t waste other people’s time
When you waste other people’s time, this shows that you do not care about them. Time, unlike money, is something we cannot ever get back. So, once time is wasted, it’s gone forever. How do you not waste someone’s time? Start and end meetings/classes on time, let others know when you’re behind schedule, don’t volunteer other people’s time without their permission, cancel appointments if you know you won’t be able to make it.
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