I’m not the most assertive of people out of work but I’m not a complete pushover. However at work I end up doing things I shouldn’t (such as a task I’m not signed off for) because I can’t stand my ground and I’m a people pleaser.
It happened again today, I’m so annoyed at myself because I finished a task for somebody else that I was determined not to do. This person steamed in at the start and took over then lost interest, they were really cavalier with the bit they did and all weekend I have worked myself up about not finishing it for them. Come today of course and the deadline is approaching and it has been left to me. I asked my manager to witness my part because I am not officially signed off and didn’t start the process (and also because of the way my colleague works) but he said I didn’t need supervised as it was similar to other work I do. So I did the work inwardly seething at myself.
Has anybody overcame this lack of assertiveness? I want to be able to stand up for myself but find it so hard to challenge authority.