Women Should Never Apologize For These Things That They Do At Work
Women often find themselves apologizing for things that don’t actually require an apology. It is a terrible habit that we have all done! While saying “sorry” isn’t inherently bad, overdoing it can ruin your confidence and make you feel at fault when you’ve done nothing wrong. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to break the habit and reclaim your self-assurance. Identifying when and why you over-apologize is the first step to owning your worth and speaking with conviction. Here are some things you should absolutely never apologize for.
Establishing Boundaries
We all need boundaries to be better friends, partners, and – of course – workers! It is fundamental for each employee to figure out his/her own. Be it about your task management, whether to delegate work, how you manage your free time, or how to communicate something. Set your own rules, make them clear, and never apologize when staying true to them.
Having Opinions
Women are entitled to have opinions just like men. It doesn’t matter whether or not you are the only one seeing the situation from a certain perspective or whether you are the only worker disagreeing with everyone else. Always speak your mind, and never be afraid to use your voice to share your thoughts. Nobody should ever apologize for their opinions.
Needing A Break
We all need a break from time to time. We are not robots and need to rest to perform at our best. So, don’t feel guilty whenever you need a break, whether you take a few days off or simply go outside the office for five minutes to breathe some fresh air. Always remember, you are human. Sometimes, a little time for yourself can be all you need to boost your productivity.
Taking Up Space
Women often feel like they do not belong in certain places, especially if men surround them. For instance, if you are the only woman at an important business meeting, you may prefer to be quiet and avoid taking up space. This is a huge mistake. If you are there, it is because you deserve it like everyone else, so don’t apologize for voicing your thoughts or opinions!
Showing Their Feelings
We’ve all had a hard time at work at least once. Maybe you received negative feedback, got stressed because of an imminent deadline, or felt overwhelmed by the huge amount of work. Of course, you should try your best not to lose control and avoid letting your emotions take over. However, showing your feelings to your colleagues and being honest about them will help you deal with them.
Not Being Perfect
Breaking news, you’re not perfect! Nobody is. Not even that colleague of yours who always seems to do everything right. Of course, you should apologize for being late and forgetting to add certain data to the latest report. However, it is normal for you to be tired sometimes. It is okay for you not to feel at your best. When this happens, tell your colleagues how you are feeling so they know.
Disagreeing
There will be times when you think your superiors are simply wrong, when you know someone made a mistake, and when none of what your colleagues say makes sense to you. When this happens, speak your mind with respect and assertiveness. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone as long as you’re polite while doing so.
Having Ambitions
All workers have ambitions. Whether you want to get that cool promotion boosting your salary or are now applying to a different job position to climb the success ladder, you need to do whatever you think will help you follow your dreams. So, why apologize for it? Your colleagues and boss should be happy for you if you decide to scale up your career and try to move forward in life.
Calling In Sick
No matter what you do and how healthy you are, you will eventually get sick. You can avoid this; it’s just part of being human. So why do so many of us feel compelled to go to work even with a temperature? This is ridiculous. You should never apologize for getting sick. Who would ever choose to feel this miserable? Tell your manager you won’t be able to show up at work and don’t you dare apologize for it!
Not Accepting Extra Work
Accepting extra work you don’t want to do is not mandatory. If you prefer to spend your evening with your family, playing with your kids, or going out on a date with your partner, it’s your right to do so. Be clear and assertive when declining extra work, but do not apologize for your choice to put yourself and your needs first. Remember, nothing is forcing you to say yes.
Making Mistakes
Of course, apologizing if you did something wrong is polite and common sense. However, the way you do it makes a huge difference. Most women tend to over-apologize, saying they are sorry over and over again. Instead of this approach, focus your energies on trying to solve the issue and avoid this from happening again.
Having Kids
Plenty of women have to balance work duties with motherhood. Sometimes, your kids may call you while you work for an emergency. That’s okay. Most women have been through this; no need to apologize! Women should also stop feeling guilty for wanting to have kids. Never put aside your dream of having a family for fear of disappointing your boss! You’ll regret it for life.
Prioritizing Your Health
Taking care of yourself is essential for everything else in your life. When you’re healthy, you’re better equipped to handle challenges, support others, and perform at your best. Apologizing for focusing on your well-being sends the message that it’s not important, when in reality, it’s the foundation of your success and happiness. Remember, putting your health first is not selfish—it’s necessary.
Asking Questions
Asking questions at work is a sign of curiosity, engagement, and a desire to do your best. It is definitely not a reflection of ignorance. It shows that you’re proactive about gaining clarity and ensuring that you understand the task at hand. Apologizing for seeking more information diminishes the value of your work and your overall work ethic. Instead, embrace questions as a tool to grow and contribute effectively to your team. Never apologize for seeking clarity and understanding.
