When I first started my career in Australia, I was fortunate to land a job at a large company. Eager to prove myself and support my parents financially, I was willing to work hard. However, I found myself in a challenging situation when a colleague, who held the same position as me, began assigning me her tasks. Despite not being my boss, I didn’t assert myself and ended up doing her work, basically becoming her servant.
Each time I completed her tasks, I felt drained and my self-esteem suffered. I allowed myself to be taken advantage of because I was afraid of conflict and desperately needed the job. Additionally, my lack of confidence, particularly in my English skills, held me back from standing up for myself.
I wish I had known how to say “NO” when she assigned tasks to me. I had learned the hard way the importance of setting boundaries. Before embarking on my personal growth journey, saying ‘no’ felt mean and rude to me.
Looking back, I wish I had started my personal development journey sooner to avoid such situations. Since 2019, I’ve been actively pursuing personal growth by reading books on confidence, listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and watching YouTube videos. These efforts have significantly boosted my confidence.
I’ve also embraced positive affirmations, regularly reminding myself that I am worthy of equal treatment and respect. I make a deliberate effort to maintain eye contact with others, sometimes looking between their eyebrows, as I am a bit shy about direct eye contact. Moreover, I practice good posture, ensuring my back is straight, shoulders are open, and I walk with confidence. These practices have significantly boosted my self-assurance.
Leave a Reply