When you’re a target of bullying, you learn very quickly that to be prepared for battle requires thinking ahead. You must be ready for things that haven’t even happened yet. You must focus on what could happen and consider every possible scenario.
All the above requires observing the bullies and the people around you, being quiet and listening to every conversation (without making it evident that you’re listening). It also requires paying attention to body language, micro-expressions, and micro-aggressions; and making a mental note of their reactions to specific actions, statements, and events. You’d be amazed at what you find out about people by being observant.
It’s what kept me from being fired when I worked in a toxic environment years ago and allowed me to stay ahead of the bullies in that environment. I talked about this in more detail in my blog posts about how I triumphed over workplace bullying.
I want you to understand that the more you silently pay attention, the more information your bullies will unwittingly give you because many seasoned bullies are overconfident and arrogant- which equals loud, obnoxious, and they have big mouths.
The more information you gather, the better you will be able to predict their next move or reaction, and the better you’ll be able to avoid any blunders that might bring about more bullying. You’ll prevent a great many attacks and, ultimately, be better able to protect yourself.
With knowledge comes empowerment!
I completely agree. With knowledge comes empowerment and confidence to withstand others’ ridicule!
Absolutely, Josh! 💯
A top political leader, in jumping to conclusions before checking the facts (idiocy) went on to bully me on social media. So I posted a document that disproved her stance, then told her that every blond joke wasn’t funny. It is prudent to bully your bully.
I’m so sorry you were bullied by this person. Sadly, bullying and Politics go hand in hand. Politicians, I have found, can be the biggest and worst bullies. They are well-practiced in the arts of persuasion and influence and unfortunately, they can weaponize those talents. In that, they become the most dangerous of people and it’s why people don’t like politicians because the vast majority of them are grifters and con-artists. Know that you are among friends here and that we care! Know that we support you! Sending you lots of love and hugs! 💖🌺💐🤗🤗🤗
You have no idea how correct you are. We do have a Hitler the 2nd in town as well. Someone that can turn saying grace before dinner into a speech of influence, every word weighted, shaped and stacked perfectly. I also saw that a Doctorate isn’t the preserve of the wise.
Thank you so much! Sadly, those people are everywhere and they are a force to be reckoned with! And you’re also right about the Doctorate. There are many educated idiots running around and schools nor universities will teach usbthe things we really need to know to get along in life. I have a college degree can attest that the educational system teaches us mostly worthless subjects that we don’t have tonuse in the workforce. It’s all about getting that degree. And it’s sad! I’m so sorry you experienced that!
One Master Educator with a Ph D tried to convince me that 2+2=5. Idiot.
Totally! 💯🎯
Sorry you went through that. I am an independent voter and sorry to get political here but I go issue to issue, about a third of the time I agree with much of the Republican party, about a third of the time I agree with much of the Democratic Party and about a third of the time I don’t agree with either side. It can be frustrating but I feel it is fair and hopefully being open minded. Anyway, I have reached out to politicians on both sides and yes many of them bully. I mean if you look at the previous President his bullying was so bad at times his wife who started off saying her cause was cyberbullying backed off. I am not picking on the previous President, the other side does it too. You are right politicians bully a lot because of their bully pulpit and most of them which is why you should be wary of both sides are self-serving, only work for special interest groups which fund their elections, and are not in touch with common people. Million and billionaires do not relate to those of us who work paycheck to paycheck. When one is put in position of power watch them and how they treat others. I like when the privileged help others and want to basically be “Servants” to the less fortunate.
I got bullied by doctors, cops, an Uber driver, pastors, the list is endless. My wife and my dog never bullied me. I am not American, but need to ask you to refrain from associating with the libtards. They are socialist-communist inclined and will eventually ruin your country. I live in such a failed reality, failed for the same reason.
Im sorry you had to face such evil. It really sucks when you get bullied by everyone- that crosses over into mobbing. And mobbing is wjen bullying shifts into maximum overdrive. And, unfortunately, we do have progressives and radicals who are hell bent on bringing Socialism/Communism into this country. Even moderates, libertarians, and independent voters like me get bullied. Personally, I have nothing to do with either party. I vote the person, not the party.
Read Hosea 8 verse 4. 👍
Trouble made me strong and I am not easily swayed. The problem is that I must restrain myself and not destroy them. One day, someone else will give them what they deserve.
Absolutely right! And yes, it takes a lot of restraint not to destroy these people. That’s thr God in you and what makes you a victory story! God gave you the victory just like He gave me! 🙏 💖 Wishing you many more blessings!
Observing is one of power tool to be used against bullies because you will know every step way ahead and prepare retaliation in best way possible…
Absolutely right! 💯 Knowledge always comes with being a people watcher! 🙂
Yes indeed! 🙏
Well written
Thank you so much! 🙂
I think one think too is though some bullies are very cunning many of them act on hatred and emotion so mistakes are often made which is why this is important. I think sometimes doing the exact opposite of what they expect will surprise them. I know one thing people can do and I know not everyone agrees but standing up to a bully but demonstrating willingness to fight them or in case in an intellectual showdown (Which can be hard if the bully is surrounded by their cronies and you are alone) where you call them out or even in extreme cases duke it out can often change the dynamic. This can really be effective if fighting isn’t your normal style and you are a timid or quiet most of the time.
I totally agree with all of this! 💯🎯 Especially fighting back and being unpredictable, which are things I’ve posted about in the past! When a person who is normally quiet finally speaks out and fights back, that’s definitely unpredictable and because the bully is often thrown off balance, he usually wins that fight! 😂🤣😂🤣 Forgive me a few chuckles here.
Let me jump in here because I love this one. While I know none of us are advocating violence at all but I love the advice of standing up and making moves some wouldn’t expect. I have seen small frail looking people have enough and take it to a bigger person before. I have seen sibling situations where the younger brother or sister worn out their older sibling. I have seen cases where even the little sister take it to her older brother or brothers. Everyone has that point and a little controlled unpredictability is not always a bad thing.
I totally agree! 💯 A person can only be pushed so far and when you’ve had enough of other people’s crap, it’s time to take care of business. I too have seen the little guy whip the crap out of the big guy. Little guys make up for size in speed, they’re much faster then their bigger counterparts. And once they whip butt, people usually leave them alone. 🥊🥊🥊
good 👍👍
It’s amazing to me that even as an adult we still have bully’s. I can’t wrap my head around why people can’t just choose kindness.
Absolutely, LaShelle. 💯 Unfortunately, child bullies grow into adult bullies and get worse as they get older. Then they breed little bullies. Many of the adults are worse than the kids.
The age in which we’re living seems to make it more prevalent. It’s heartbreaking
You got that right! Today’s culture seems to reward bullying.
Yes they do. It’s absolutely disgusting
You bet it is! 💯🎯👍
Wish they had a course in bullying in school back then. Would have saved a lot of people a whole lotta headache and heartache
Absolutely! 💯 Awesome point! 👍