How to Overcome the Spirit of Intimidation

Even the most menacing of personalities can be rendered harmless.

Often you will make the mistake of looking at someone else and saying, "That person is intimidating." It can be a boss. It can be a police officer. It could be an audience of people. The mistake is in the idea that another person is intimidating. No. The reality is the person expressing fear is intimidated, because not everyone is afraid of the same person. Some people try to be intimidating, but it's still up to the other person to take on that fear. There are ways, though, to overcome that intimidation.

Instructions

1. Have faith. Know that you are capable of doing a good job or that your opinion is valid. Speak your mind to someone who says something that offends you. In the case where you may be asking someone to pay more for a product, know that the new price does not make you a bad person. Faith in yourself also means having confidence in yourself. Make yourself believe that your position in the relationship, be it as an assistant or a speaker to hundreds, is valuable.

2. Reject negative thoughts and people, and replace them with positive influences. When you find yourself afraid of someone or something, recognize what you are doing, reject the negative influences and fill your mind and your physical space with positive reinforcements. Tell yourself how capable you are, and find proof in your life of your greatness.

3. Develop a protective shell to handle criticism. This does not mean you should reject criticism. What it means is that when someone is critical of you or your work, listen to the words without attaching feelings of guilt or shame to them. Don't judge yourself a bad or untalented person just because someone doesn't like you or your performance. The criticism can help you improve. And some of the criticism will not be merited. It is up to you to decide which pieces of criticism can help you improve and which make no sense.

4. Sell yourself. Volunteer for tasks because you have confidence you can do them, even if sometimes you don't exactly know how you will do them. Walk through your day as if you are sure of your abilities. Famous movie stars do not spend a lot of time publicly questioning their worthiness to have the lives they have. Act like you deserve the skills you have, and express your willingness to prove it on a regular basis.

References

• Office Arrow; Overcoming Intimidation; Chrissy Scivicque
• "Seattle Woman Magazine"; Overcoming Intimidation; Tracey A. Corley; July 2009
• Boosting Self-Esteem Guide: Overcoming Intimidation