Over the years, your support has made Women’s Web the leading resource for women in India. Now, it is our turn to ask, how can we make this even more useful for you? Please take our short 5 minute questionnaire – your feedback is important to us!
Are you always 'The Back-Up plan?' Someone who is just pushed around and not treated well. But do you know, its about how you value and respect yourself.
Are you always ‘The Back-Up plan?’ Someone who is just pushed around and not treated well? Its not just about others – its about how you value and treat yourself as well.
Why do we fall short of what we thought we should get from a relationship or from something we badly wanted? So many times, we feel pushed around, when people whom we treat as a priority, treat us as ‘options’. Have you wondered why? There can be many reasons, but the most important question that we need to ask ourselves is, do we value ourselves, for others to value us?
People will mostly treat you the way you treat your own self. Perhaps this applies more to women than men. Many of us display our low self-confidence subtly, in almost everyday things. Here is how we do it.
When we constantly feel that we are not good enough for someone or something, or that others are surely better than us, we start behaving like that, either through subtle actions or predominant moves. We think we are smart enough to hide it but guess what, our body language and behaviour can become our biggest enemies. It somehow always reflects in our actions. This gives a strong cue to others to react in the same way. So if you always believe that you are not good enough, then you should not expect respect, job promotions, new opportunities or responsibilities. Then may be you should be a back up plan.
There are times when all of us get some or the other opportunity big or small, served on a platter to us. At that time, we consciously avoid making the first move only because we feel there is someone better out there who’ll grab it or, if we take it up we will not do justice to the opportunity. Even when it comes to starting relationships especially with the opposite gender, we believe that it is he who should make the first move. Indirectly, we are indicating that we are not confident enough to approach the person head on. We have no appetite to take risks and we fear rejection. We want somebody else to do it for us. Then we deserve to be the back up plan, isn’t it? Because the one who approaches first has the first mover’s advantage.
We, especially women often feel embarrassed discussing our achievements. We underplay ourselves a lot. Its as if self-praise equates to arrogance for us. In our endeavour to be more giving and modest, we run into a shell. Selling is not a bad word – we have to sell something everyday. We sell the importance of nutrition to our kids, we sell our projects and assignments to clients, we sell our resume to employers, then why shouldn’t we sell our opinions, our goodwill and our achievements? Selling is not bad, selling is a way of life. Remember, if you hide behind a veil and play an underdog, the world will swipe you off your feet leaving you stranded. So talk about the good work that you do, it always helps in building a strong image. Obviously, the trick is not to overdo anything.
Yes, this is a huge mistake we make. We sometimes assume others would magically understand what we think and want and in that anticipation, we mostly end up feeling disappointed and unloved. In real life, that not only baffles others around us, but also makes us constantly feel unpleasant about ourselves.
Whether it is our job, business, marriage or general relationships, we must set expectations well in advance and tweak them mutually and eventually. This not only simplifies our dealings with others, but clears our own thought process. Remember you can set expectations only when you have clarity of thought. So start taking your own decisions, own up to things, state what you want clearly and how you want things to be. This will not only de-clutter your mind, but you will be taken more seriously by others. This is the secret of not being taken for granted.
If you ever sit down and try to join the dots, you will begin to notice a pattern. May be deep down somewhere you have not prioritized things for yourself. Okay, you might not notice this cause and effect relationship immediately, but it will come to your notice over a period of time. Many of us make no efforts to prioritize things we like and people we want to associate themselves with. This practice eventually leads to mayhem.
If you don’t prioritize things, you will never know whats your first best. Then you will settle for the second or the third best. This seemingly small compromise at first, will start showing its devilish side when you lose passion and love for things, people and above all yourself. You will blame your ill-fate and life. And in no time, people will begin to realize that you are in fact not the one, and then my friend you know what will happen? You will become ‘The back-up plan.’
Sad Indian woman image via Shutterstock
Shreya Dhingra is a certified Image Communication Coach practicing since 5 years. She works with individuals and corporates on every aspect of their image. Right from professional wardrobe and style analysis to speech skills and read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
If you want to get back to work after a break, here’s the ultimate guide to return to work programs in India from tech, finance or health sectors - for women just like you!
Last week, I was having a conversation with a friend related to personal financial planning and she shared how she had had fleeting thoughts about joining work but she was apprehensive to take the plunge. She was unaware of return to work programs available in India.
She had taken a 3-year long career break due to child care and the disconnect from the job arena that she spoke about is something several women in the same situation will relate to.
More often than not, women take a break from their careers to devote time to their kids because we still do not have a strong eco-system in place that can support new mothers, even though things are gradually changing on this front.
A married woman has to wear a sari, sindoor, mangalsutra, bangles, anklets, and so much more. What do these ornaments have to do with my love, respect, and commitment to my husband?
They: Are you married? Me: Yes They: But You don’t look like it Me: (in my Mind) Why should I?
Why is being married not enough for a woman, and she needs to look married too? I am tired of such comments in the nearly four years of being married.
I believe that anything that is forced is not right. I must have a choice. I am a living human, not a puppet. And I am not stopping anyone by not following any tradition. You are free to do whatever you like to do. But do not force others. It’s depressing.