Are You Being Taken For Granted?

We are all taken for granted once in a while. Andmembers about the great job that you have done for
sometimes we don't even mind it, if it is done bythem. After every achievement, tell your bosses what
someone whom we love and is really close to us. Butyou have done, either verbally or by submitting a
if it is a regular thing that keeps on repeating itself, itreport. If you think action and results speaks louder
surly hurts and irritates. This world is full of people whothan words, you are mistaken. No one is observing
are complaining about been taken for granted by theirperforming all that action, and there are many others
bosses, colleagues, spouse, friends, brother and sisterswaiting to steal your credit away from you.
and even by their own children. They hate it, but neverDon't just help but oblige: It is good to help other people.
really are able to change it.Unfortunately in today's world people take your
If observed carefully, one can easily see that thesegoodness for guaranteed and start taking advantage
people are nice and decent; In fact at times too niceof it. So, help people but show as if you are doing it as
and decent. They are soft spoken, willing to please,a favour and making an exception. Make them feel
helpful, sincere and hardworking. In general otherobliged and indebted to you. People may call you a
people like them and even praise them, behind theirsnob, but let them. It is much better than been taken
back. But they some how never manage to get thefor granted.
type of recognition and reward from where it reallyBe assertive and stubborn to prove a point: People
matters.who are not able to speak their mind out clearly and
A lady, who loves her husband and children, worksforcefully are always taken for guaranteed. Be
hard the entire day, takes best care of them, is anassertive when putting forth your opinion and point of
ideal wife and mother in the eyes of entireview. Listen to others and pretend as if you do not
neighborhood never gets so much as a simple thankunderstand what they are saying, and keep repeating
you from her husband and children. They may sayyour point. People may call you stupid but they will take
they love her but never really appreciate the effortyou much more seriously.
she makes. An employee who is loyal, talented, worksBe aggressive & passionate: By asking you to be
hard and at times even pulls the impossible, is laudedaggressive I am not asking you to fight with people.
by some of the colleagues, but does not seem to getBut, set aggressive goals, work aggressively and
the promotion. It is someone else who gets the raisepassionately. Aggressive attitude to a certain level
and promotion and soon the person in question findscreates positive energy that other people feel. And this
himself or herself working under a person who isenergy helps people to recognize you and your work.
nearly half of him or her in qualification, experience andDevelop some nuisance value: It is always not nice to
talent, and even whose loyalty is questionable.be nice. Let people know that you too can get upset
Does it seem your story or someone whom youand can call a spade a spade. Be polite, tactful and
know? Isn't it too common? The answer probably willdiplomatic but speak out your mind. Tell people clearly
be 'Yes.' Now, you may ask, that why is it that a fewwhat you feel. They will never take your feelings and
get all the recognition and reward, even though theyemotions for granted.
do not deserve. But then most others are taken forBe growing and ready to move on: Obviously
granted, in one way or other? Can this be changed? Ifeveryone will take you for granted if they develop a
yes, then how?feeling that you are stuck with them and you are not
It is often not important what we do, but how we do itgoing anywhere. So, keep growing. Make continuous
that catches people's attention. Here are few of-beatimprovement in yourself. Develop better attitude, work
strategies that can make people recognize youron your self image, and add value to your skills and
efforts. They almost always work for me and they willqualifications. Show the preparedness to move on and
do for you as well.see the people's attitude towards yourself change.
Work smart not hard: Do you slog away when othersAfter word: All this that I told you above may not
are enjoying themselves, whether at home or atcome to you very naturally at first. But still make
office? Does everyone know that you will doconscious efforts for sometime till it becomes your
everything if they don't do it? You got to change that.second nature. However, it does not mean that you will
Call others and give them responsibilities and deadlines.employ these strategies indiscriminately. These
Keep following up and ask them about progress.strategies are like medicine and must be used only if
Demand explanation for non-compliance. Act bossy ifthe symptoms exist.
required, and see the difference in just a few days.Moreover, you need to continuously work on improving
People may not like you for this in the beginning butyour self image. People taking you for granted, your
they will soon start showing respect and stop takinglack of assertiveness, being meek, doing all the work
you for granted.by yourself, people not taking you seriously etc. are
Promote yourself: How will everyone know how hardusually manifestation of poor self image. Once you
you work and what are your achievements if youattain a healthy self image, you will no longer need to
don't promote yourself. You do not have to hire anconsciously employ any strategies for getting
advertising agency, but present your achievements inrecognition, but you will get it automatically.
front of those who really matter. Tell your family