AARP The Nice Girl Syndrome: Stop Being Manipulated and Abused--and Start Standing Up for Yourself

Introduction 1

Part One Strong Women Aren't Nice

1 The High Price of Being Too Nice 9

2 How Did We Get So Nice? 27

3 The Ten False Beliefs That Set Women Up to Be Used and Abused 33

Part Two From False Beliefs to Empowering Beliefs

4 Stop Putting Others’ Feelings and Needs ahead of Your Own 53

5 Stop Believing That Being Nice Will Protect You 76

6 Stop Worrying about What Other People Think of You 85

7 Stop Trying to Be Perfect 102

8 Stop Being Gullible and Naive 123

9 Start Standing Up for Your Rights 137

10 Start Expressing Your Anger 160

11 Learn How to Handle Conflict 180

12 Start Facing the Truth about People 193

13 Start Supporting and Protecting Yourself 206

Part Three From Nice Girl to Strong Woman

14 The Four C's: Developing Confidence, Competence, Conviction, and Courage 223

References 236

Index 239