Have you ever noticed how we often take things or people for granted when they’re always around? It’s human nature. Familiarity can breed indifference. But when something becomes scarce, people value it more.
Be it friendship, relationship, and even at your workplace, this law is so true. If you’re always available, always the first to answer, always saying yes, people might stop appreciating your time. They may even assume you have nothing better to do.
I had a colleague named Tunde who was incredibly helpful. Whenever anyone needed anything, he’d drop what he was doing. At first, everyone loved him for it. But over time, they started expecting it. He got overwhelmed, burned out, and worst of all, people didn’t respect his time.
One day, he changed his approach. He started setting boundaries. He wouldn’t always be available on demand. If you wanted his help, you had to schedule it. Meetings with him became more deliberate, more focused. And suddenly, that was when he got his respect back . They valued what he offered because they couldn’t get it any time they wanted.
I’ve seen the same thing in personal life. Think of that friend who calls you every single day, all day, for every little thing. You start to ignore their calls. But when someone you care about isn’t always available—maybe they’re busy or traveling,you find yourself excited to hear from them.
It is not arrogancy or playing games , you just have to understand that people need space in other to appreciate you.When you’re too easy to reach, they might stop seeing your time as valuable.
If you want people to respect you more, learn to step back now and then. Don’t answer every message instantly. Don’t say yes to every demand. Make your presence meaningful, not automatic.
So if you can learn to create some healthy distance, you are indirectly giving others the chance to respect your energy, contributions , and value you. To others ,it might appear to be a simple shift but i tell you , it has the ability to change how people see you.