6-Step-by-Step Strategy to Stop People From Taking Advantage of You

Are you tired of being used and taken advantage of? Then it’s time to take a stand and put an end to it, and with this 6-step strategy, you can stop people from taking advantage of you.

Most people would agree that it’s important to be able to trust the people in our lives. After all, what’s the point of building relationships if we can’t rely on the people in them?

Unfortunately, there are some toxic individuals who will take advantage of our good nature and use us for their own benefit; whether it’s a friend who always seems to be borrowing money without ever paying it back or a family member who is constantly asking for favors but never returns the favor.

If you’ve fallen victim to people taking advantage of you in the past, here’s a step-by-step strategy to put an end to being taken advantage of.

Here are 6 steps to help you stop people from taking advantage of you:

Step #1: Identify when someone is taking advantage of you.

The first and most crucial step to solving any problem is identifying it, but to be able to identify when someone is taking advantage of you, you must first be aware of the signs; here are 7 signs that will help you identify when someone is using you.

If you’re not sure if you’re being taken advantage of, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I feel used or manipulated after interacting with this person?
• Do I feel like I’m always giving and this person is always taking?
• Do I feel like I have to walk on eggshells around this person or tiptoe around them?
• Do I feel like I’m not being heard or respected?
• Do I feel belittled or like my opinions don’t matter?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then you’re being taken advantage of, and it’s time to take action.

Once you’re able to identify that the person is taking advantage of you, then you can take steps to address the issue right when it’s happening.

Step #2: Set and communicate your boundaries.

Once you’ve identified when someone is taking advantage of you, it’s time to set and communicate your boundaries to them, meaning communicating your needs and expectations clearly, letting them know what you will and will not tolerate, and making it clear that their behavior is not acceptable.

Your boundaries need to be communicated in a clear and concise way so that there’s no confusion about what is and isn’t allowed.

For example, if you’ve noticed that a friend always asks to borrow money from you but never pays you back, you don’t lend them any more money until they pay you back what they already owe you.

When you know what your limits are, it becomes much harder for someone to take advantage of you. So, if you don’t know what your boundaries are, sit down and make a list of your needs and expectations in relationships and things that you will and will not tolerate.

Setting boundaries is not about being mean or rude; it’s about taking care of yourself by putting yourself and your well-being first and setting standards for how you want to be treated.

Step #3: Don’t be afraid to say no.

Now that you have set and communicated your boundaries, you might find that some people don’t like them or try to push back against your new boundaries, which is why it’s important to know when and how to say no to defend your boundaries.

For example, if a friend asks to borrow money from you and you don’t feel comfortable lending them any money, then you can say no.

Saying no can be hard, especially if you’re a people pleaser or afraid of conflict, but it’s important to remember that you have a right to say no, your feelings and needs matter, and you’re not obligated to please anyone.

If you’re struggling to say no, here are a few tips that can help:

• Know your limits and stick to them.
• Practice saying no in front of a mirror or to a friend.
• Start small by saying no to things that you don’t really care about.
• Be assertive and firm when you say no.

You’re the one in control of your life, and you get to decide what you do and don’t do, so don’t be afraid to say no when you need to.

Step #4: Follow through with your consequences.

Just because you’ve set boundaries and communicated them to the person who has been taking advantage of you doesn’t mean that they will respect them, which is why it’s important that you follow through with any consequences you’ve established if they choose to step and cross your boundaries.

For example, if you’ve told a friend that you’re not going to lend them any more money until they pay you back what they already owe you and they continue to ask, then you can refuse to lend them the money and demand that they pay you back what they owe you.

It’s important to follow through with your consequences because it sends a clear message that you’re serious about your boundaries being respected and that you’re not going to tolerate their behavior.

If they continue to try to take advantage of you or cross your boundaries even after you’ve communicated your expectations to them, then you might need to take more drastic measures, such as ending the relationship or cutting off communication with them.

Step #5: Don’t be afraid to end relationships.

Some people will never respect your boundaries no matter how many times you communicate them or follow through with consequences, and in those cases, it might be necessary to end the relationship.

Ending a relationship is never easy, but it’s necessary to protect yourself from further hurt or abuse; you don’t owe anyone anything, and you deserve to be treated with respect; here are 10 tips that will help you end a toxic relationship gracefully. 

It’s okay to put yourself first and end a relationship – even if it’s with a family member or close friend – especially if it’s not a healthy or positive relationship for you.

In fact, if someone can’t or won’t respect your boundaries, then it’s probably not a relationship worth keeping anyway.

If you’re not sure whether or not you should end a relationship, here are a few questions that can help you decide:

• Do I feel safe and respected in this relationship?
• Do I always have to walk on eggshells around this person?
• Do I feel like I’m being used or taken advantage of?
• Do I feel like I can’t be myself around this person?
• Is this person always putting their own needs above mine?

The most important thing is that you do what’s best for you and that you take care of your mental health, so don’t be afraid to end a toxic or harmful relationship.

Step #6: Seek professional help.

At times, we want to be able to handle things on our own and feel like we’re strong enough to deal with whatever comes our way, but most of the time, getting help from a professional can be incredibly helpful.

Seeking professional help can give you the guidance and support you need to make positive changes in your life. A therapist can help you work through your feelings, understand why you might be attracting people who take advantage of you and give you the tools you need to set healthier boundaries.

If you find yourself in a situation where you’re being taken advantage of or manipulated, it might be helpful to talk to a therapist who can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms and work through any underlying issues that might be contributing to the problem.

If you’re not sure whether or not therapy is right for you, here are a few signs that it might be helpful:

• You’re struggling to cope with your emotions.
• You’re having difficulty setting boundaries.
• You’re attracting people who take advantage of you.
• You’re struggling to end toxic relationships.
• You’re feeling overwhelmed or hopeless.

If any of these sound like you, then seeking professional help can be a great way to get the support and guidance you need to make positive changes in your life. Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone, and there is help available if you need it.

Taking the first step to seek professional help can be very scary, especially if you’ve never done it before, but it can also be incredibly empowering and can make a huge difference in your life.

So if you’re considering seeking help, don’t be afraid to reach out and make that first appointment; it could be the best decision you ever make. That said, keeping your mindset strong is important to and here’s a list of life changing books that will help you to do just that. 

Implementing the above step-by-step strategy will make it harder for people to take advantage of you and help you stand up for yourself; here 7 tips that will help you stand up for yourself. 

How have you stopped people from taking advantage of you in the past? What strategies work best for you? Let us know in the comments below!