…and by that I mean: Your week is filled with a few opportunities to put up and shut up. And where does that get you? Repressed, suppressed, officially oppressed. Not taking any shit doesn’t mean you’ve got to fight or get scrappy — though sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to do — loudly. Either way, you can be classy about it. When the waiter asks how your meal was and you’re feeling disappointed, “Well, you know, it was less than awesome.” Handy phrase. “Less than awesome” gets the point across — it also reinforces that we all deserve awesome.

You don’t have to take any shit even when you’re the one who’s made a mistake. I was driving into the ferry lane one dark and stormy night and misread a road sign. The ferry worker guy lost his shit on me. Yelled, and yelled again at me. I stopped my car and waited for him to get closer to me, and then this, good and firm: “Look, I don’t care if you think you’re right, don’t talk to me like that.” Handy phrase. It stops shit fast. I’ve used it at concerts, at gas stations, and in my early startup days with a few snarly bill collectors.

You show the world how to treat you — and the world will respond accordingly. (And, ya, you may have to repeat yourself.) “Shit” includes, but is not limited to: Accepting shoddy work for services you’ve paid for. ANY kind of down-talking. Repeatedly being kept waiting. No gratitude where gratitude would be appropriate. And being lied to is BIG shit. Try this, (you may only need to say it to yourself,) “I’m not taking any shit.” Handy phrase.

Don’t take any shit.