Helping people is a good deed but what to do if a person starts taking advantage of you. Every person should be generous but to a limit that nobody can take advantage of them. Offering a hand for help should never mean that you help a person to the point that it becomes difficult for you to live your own life. A lot of people misuse the person who agrees to help them. Sometimes, situations run off your hand, and you get involved in criminal practices not out of choice but by force. Your innocence can be taken advantage of by making you do something that is illegal. The naive and inferior people turn into bait for illicit activities and the punishment for the same. How to stop getting taken advantage of when you love helping other people?
When someone takes advantage of you, then you are the only person responsible for it. The person seeking your help informed you about what they want, but it was up to you to refuse giving aid. Now, you must be thinking that you do not realize when a person may take advantage of you. Let us know some of the ways people will take advantage of you. They will seduce you with their charm and flattery to make you approve of their requests. A lot of young kids especially girls have been mistreated through such method. Men flatter young girls with their charm, and they force them to do things they should not otherwise.
People will give you wrong information, and they will provide you with white lies. Most of the times their words will be vague, and their intention or purpose will be unknown. When you cross-question them, they will misinterpret the reality. After the achievement of their objective, they will deny the fact that they asked for your support or in some cases, they will not give you your due credit. They will start ignoring you or attending your calls. They may change the topic of conversation when you ask them a question. Such people know the right way to make you fall into their trap, and that is by making you feel guilty of something. When you feel guilty of committing a mistake, your conscience will ask you to repay for it which will allow the people to abuse your innocence. Shaming you by their comments is another way they will make you feel inadequate, or they may act like they do not know what you talk about so that you start questioning yourself. If these things have happened to you, then it is a signal that you should fight the mistreatment. It is high time that you stop getting taken advantage of through the following ways.
#1. Think Before You Say "Yes"
If you do not wish to get exploited, then you should think before you say yes. Think a lot before you agree to help anyone because once you get into trouble, you will not be able to come out. You are the one who takes the decisions for your life so do not allow someone else to influence you and destroy your life. You should analyze your situation and your ability to help the person. Always remember that you should not take up a job that you cannot complete or that may have negative effects on you. Think about the pros and cons of the task that has come to you. If you think that you can bear the outcomes positive or negative, then go ahead with helping the person. But if you are not sure, then do not go any further. You can always quit at any moment you feel that something is wrong but why wait for something to hurt you. Examine the conditions in which the help was sought, the idea, the intentions, assume the situation in and against your favor and then finally decide.
#2. Set Your Limits
You must know about your limits, and you must inform others about them. If someone contacts you for something that is out of your boundaries or your principles, then refuse immediately. You must know what is important to you and what is the right thing to do. If someone makes you do a job that is off your limits then you can land in trouble. Your values and morals are more important and if your conscience does not allow you to do it then step back. Let people know that you are not ready to do whatever they wish. Restrict people from coming to you with such requests that are offensive. If you have your grounds and principles set in front of you like a wall, then nobody will be able to invade it. Nobody will be able to take advantage of you if you learn to say NO. Tell the people about how much you are willing to help. It will be up to them if they want that help or not. The ball will be in your court.
#3. Remove Those People Who Harm You
There may be some people in your life who know you inside out, and they know how to take advantage of you. They will misuse your good-heartedness to exploit you from time to time. You should throw such people out from your life before they push you in danger. Do not let such people rule your mind and heart. They are aware of all the tactics to lure you and if you think you cannot resist then cut contact with these people. Start avoiding them. Do not meet or talk if you want to protect yourself. You do not need those people in your life who do not care for you. Some people respect you, and you should pay attention to them. Respect those people who appreciate your choices and wishes not those who come around when they need something. Talk to those people who understand what you have been through. They will help you become stronger for yourself.
#4. Take A Stand For Yourself
Taking a stand for your beliefs and opinions will make the other people aware of the fact that they cannot get anything they want from you. Learn to voice your opinions in front of people with full confidence. Be loud and clear about what you need, what you feel and what you can do. Do not allow other people to mold you. You should have a strong personality and values that will stop you from bending for someone else. If you look confident and serious about what you speak then, people will not come to you for unnecessary aid. Develop your personality and try to understand how the society works. Some people are corrupt, and they just need someone to help them take the blame. If you are met with a wrong request, then be open about it and inform the person that it against the rules and law. For example, if someone asks you for help them get a promotion without working hard then let the person know that you cannot do it. It is unethical.
#5. Make Out The Difference Between Real And Fake Compliments
Be strong-headed. Do not fall for flattery and buttering no matter how precious you feel after it. You must know that all the compliments and appreciation is made to convince you. You should make out the difference between the real compliments and the fake ones. The person may tell you that they are honest with you, but you cannot trust them. Usually, people start flattering the others sometime before requesting so that they do not understand they are fake. If someone tries to impress you and comes up with some favor, then know that they were so good with you to get benefits from you. A lot of people try to misuse your position and power for their profits, and they think sycophancy is the best way to approach. Prove these people wrong by rejecting their proposals.
#6. Stop Being The Victim
People start playing the victims after one episode of abuse or mistreatment. The pain and the trauma are understandable but living in the same zone is not acceptable. You may express your sorrow, and you can complain about it but living the life of a victim will never help you become normal. If something wrong has happened to you while helping someone in need then complaint against the person. Do not become a patient with a disease that left your body quite a while ago. The point is that no matter what happens you should not allow something to consume you entirely. Get over things as soon as possible. Take the lead and responsibility for your life. Forgive the people but do not forget what they did. Do not take revenge but do not fall into such traps again. By victimizing yourself, you are making yourself vulnerable to more frauds.
Has someone taken advantage of you? What did you do to stop getting taken advantage of? Let us know your opinions through the comments section below.
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