Everyone has been there. And, let’s face it, there will undoubtedly be times when you have to do things at work that you would rather not. However, if you find yourself in this position more often than you would like simply because you don’t want to disappoint others, you may be a people pleaser.

In the short term, it may not appear to be a big deal. However, in the long run, the cons far outweigh the benefits. Overcompensating for others can leave you feeling overwhelmed (due to taking on too many commitments), resentful (due to the inherent imbalances in the relationship), and suffocated (due to constantly ignoring your own needs in order to be liked).

It can also make you feel inauthentic, because when you smile on the outside while inside you’re frustrated, you’re essentially pretending to be someone you’re not. In fact, research suggests that smiling to please others when you’re not truly happy is associated with a lower sense of well-being and “withdraw[al] from work.”

So, here are a few ways to stop being taken advantage of :

• Trust patterns, not apologies.
• Believe red flags.
• Don’t fall in love with potential.
• Know when to let that shit go.
• If it feels wrong, don’t do it.
• Be careful who you vent to.
• Trust your intuition.

What would you add to the list?