Shanli Liu explains that excessive apologizing undermines your power and often masks a plea for acceptance. Instead of apologizing when you need something, thank the person for their time or patience. When someone needs something from you, state your request directly without the apology.
How to stop over-apologizing. You know what I'm talking about. So sorry, I just need to clarify something real quick. So sorry, I'm just now seeing this. So sorry, I'm just now responding. When you over-apologize, you are draining your power because what you're really saying in those little so-sorry moments is, please still like me. And it is past time that you knew that your self-worth is not tied to how little of an inconvenience you can be. So here's a little trick. When somebody needs something from you, you thank them. Thank them for waiting. Thank them for their patience. Thank them for their time. When you need something from them, you just tell them what you want without apologizing. You tell them what you need. So instead of, "I'm sorry to bother you, I need a moment of your time when you get a second," instead of, "Hey, I'm sorry, I need to clarify, I need to add on to what you just said," you are asserting your needs, and that never needs an apology. So try that and follow me.
