If there’s one thing you shouldn’t compromise on, it’s the amount of respect that people give you. No one wants to feel as if their opinions and choices don’t matter. Whether you’re looking for more respect in the workplace or in your personal life, there are plenty of changes that can be made to achieve this goal.
Here are a few ways to gain some respect for yourself and teach others how to do the same:
1. Project Confidence
Projecting self-confidence is a good way to get others to respect you as well. “Science help” mediator Amy Alkon says that confidence is often linked to personal ability and competence. “You set a confident tone with the way you convey yourself, bodily and emotionally, that suggests people are wise to trust you and your abilities,” Alkon says.
2. Develop a Personal Mantra
As a positive affirmation in her life, Life Coach Allison Carmen follows the mantra “Maybe everything is okay.” By developing a personal mantra, Carmen says that you can help yourself get rid of some of the fear associated with not being valuable enough. Choosing to adopt her mantra helps you remember that you have endless possibilities and that maybe you’re exactly where you need to be.
3. Accept Yourself
Accepting yourself means taking the good with the bad. By reflecting on both the success and losses of your life it might be a little easier to accept the things you can’t change. “We are more kind and loving towards ourselves because we are more accepting of where we are in life,” Carmen says. Along with self-acceptance, Alkon says to be kind to yourself like you’re kind to others.
4. Practice Self-Respect
Respecting yourself is the best way to make others do the same. Communication Coach Preston Ni says having a healthy sense of control over your life is a great thing and comes from setting your own priorities. Taking care of yourself before others show people your expectations for when they try to care for you themselves.
5. Strengthen Your Ego
According to Counselor and Psychotherapist Kimberly Key, lack of respect resides in a weak ego. Key explains that many people see the go negatively but it is actually a reflection of your core. By strengthening your ego and handling inner issues, Key says you will stop confronting other defensive egos and illuminate more respectable things about yourself.
6. Be Assertive
Healthy levels of assertiveness include speaking up for yourself in times of need. Alkon says the most important piece of this is doing it in a timely manner. Waiting to address issues or standing up for yourself could enable feelings of anger or resentment.
7. Let Things Flow
People are going to do what they want to do. If someone is just set on not respecting you, your time, or your energy, there is no way to force it. Key says that the ego starts to heal when feelings can flow freely and openly. Setting a standard for yourself to where things you can’t control don’t bother you can start this process.
8. Learn How to Say “No”
Effectively using your communication skills gets you more respect than expected. People admire a person who can actively use their voice and don’t let people run all over them. Ni says that differentiating between yes and no situations allows you to stand your ground while still keeping the peace.
Sources:
