Let’s get real for a second. How many times have you found yourself saying, “It’s fine” or “At least it’s something,” even though you knew deep down it wasn’t enough? Whether it’s that friend who only calls when they need something, the job that pays you but doesn’t value you, or even family members who take you for granted—why do we keep settling for the bare minimum?

The truth is, we’ve all been there. But at some point, you have to ask yourself: Why am I accepting less than I deserve?

It’s time to stop giving passes to half-hearted effort from others and start setting higher standards for how you’re treated—by people, your workplace, and even yourself. Here’s how you can break the cycle and demand more from life, one step at a time.