7 Important Times when You Should Speak up ...

1. When You’re Being Taken Advantage of

One of the times you should speak up is when someone is taking advantage of you. Often, when you offer to lend a hand or help out, people go to the extreme and use you for everything you’re worth. It’s not always so great because then you are strung out to the limit! Other ways people take advantage of you can be more serious, like leeching into your bank account or using you when your emotions are on the line.

2. When Someone is Trying to Pressure You

I was once pressured into doing something I will regret for the rest of my life. I’m sure we can all relate! If someone is trying to sweet talk or push something onto you, whether it’s something they are trying to sell you or something they want you to do, it’s time to speak up! Don’t let anyone back you into a corner; you have a choice!

3. When You Are Watching Someone Walk Away

How many break-ups, divorces, or friendships could have been salvaged if someone would have spoken up? So many times it’s easy to get hurt and refuse to look back for the sake of pride. If someone means that much to you, don’t let them get away! Speak up and do what you can to make amends.

4. When You Know You Are Right

Now this one can be a little tricky, since we all tend to think we are right at all times. But when you are about to watch someone make a terrible mistake, or when something bad could happen and you know how to prevent it, don’t sit back and say nothing! Speak up! You may not be able to change anyone’s mind, but at least you tried.

5. When Someone is Bashing Your Beliefs

There will always be people who disagree with you, and that’s ok. Variety makes the world go round! But when you are being attacked or bashed by someone for what you believe in, don’t sit there and take it. Speak up and defend yourself. Take a stand for what you believe. Just be adult about it, many times it’s too easy to start a quarrel in this manner.

6. When Someone is Hurting Those You Love

The hardest thing is watching someone you love take a licking. If you can make a difference, then speak up. You don’t have to be rude or hateful, but why watch someone you love suffer because of the words or actions of others?

7. When You Need to Apologize

This one can be a hard pill to swallow, but it’s so important nonetheless. Eating crow is no one’s favorite pastime, yet we all need to at some point or another. If the relationships in your life matter to you at all, make the effort to apologize when you need to. If nothing else, it will help you to be a better person!

The reality is, if you know that there is a time when you need to speak up and you don’t, you may spend the rest of your life wishing you had said something. We may not always know whether to speak up or keep our mouths shut, but these 7 times you should speak up are good key places to start. Over time, you can fine-tune and decipher when it’s not important enough to pursue or when you should make a case. Have you ever had a moment you wished you had spoken up?