I know I've written about this before, but it bears repeating:

The only thing you control is your own behavior.

Period. Of course you can have conversations with others about their behavior. I am a big fan of giving people direct feedback, and making specific requests of them (which makes future feedback easier). You should definitely stand up for yourself.

But when people don't do what you want, you have a choice. You can keep doing whatever it was that brought out that reaction in them in the first place, or you can change something about you and the way you are engaging them.

I know this is frustrating when the other person/group/side is doing things that you are sure everyone and their brother would agree are awful.

Sorry.

The only thing you control is your own behavior.

Originally posted @ Get Me Jamie Notter