Being a strong, independent person takes your self-esteem to a higher level and it’s great. You feel like you have a strong shot at moving up the corporate ladder and you feel like you can handle anything your boss throws at you. Which is definitely true. You know that the more people rely on you and the more people come to you with special tasks, the more chances you have to achieving your goals and getting promotion after promotion.

Being independent also makes colleagues perceive you in a different way. You are seen as a valuable member of the team. Your strong and independent personality makes you a key player on the company and a reliable colleague. You are seen as a pillar of the company and someone who is able to help others. You are looked at as a role model for newer and younger employees. You are considered to be dependable and as someone who will help those in need.

There is no reason why you wouldn’t want to be an independent person. It is a big part of being truly happy. At least I think so. There are somethings that an independent person does that sets them apart from others. You may have noticed them in other people or you may exhibit them yourself. If you are unsure that you are a strong and independent person though, read on for seven signs that will help you answer that question. And if you find that you are not, well it’s never too late to start being one.

1. You Know How to Prioritize

You are not one of those people that can’t determine what needs to be taken care of first. You have had so much experience at prioritizing and organizing your tasks, that it is now second nature to you. If you had to choose between solving a problem with a consumer and doing research for an upcoming project, you would definitely choose to help out the consumer. To you, it’s common sense. Your ability to prioritize enables you to be a strong independent person because you are able to make tough decisions without a second thought.

2. You Take Pride in Your Work

You thrive at work because you pride yourself on doing a good job. Your motivation to be independent, also helps you climb the corporate ladder. You want to make more money to support yourself, so you work long hours. You come into work early and leave late. You basically slay at work in order to get the promotions you rightly deserve. Your job also provides you with the security to stay dependent on yourself. Without your job, you might have to move back in with your parents, which would strip away your independence. You take pride in your job because it is your life line. Literally.

3. You Reap the Benefits of Your Career Success

You don’t need someone else to buy you nice, extravagant things. You’ve got it covered. You have become extremely successful thanks to your independence. And your success means an immense amount of cash flow. You’ve dreamed of rolling around in a beautiful pile of green and now you can. If you see something you like at your favorite store, you buy it yourself. You’ve worked hard and you deserve to treat yourself to anything you please. If you want a new watch, it’s yours. You’ve decided you want a private jet? I’m sure you could get that too. Because you are so independent, you don’t have to wait for gifts on your birthday, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day. You buy yourself gifts on a daily basis.

4. You Utilize Your Time Alone to Think About New Business Plans

During your time alone, you take the opportunity to be innovative and create new ideas for the company. Or if you are just starting out, you use your time alone as a chance to develop new skills in order to move up the ladder. That doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze in time to enjoy yourself and partake in hobbies. Whether it’s sewing a sweater for your grandma, or geeking out on a new video game, you spend some of your solitude having fun. But you never forget to take some time to develop you career skills. And exactly because you are a strong and independent person, you are able to teach yourself new skills.  

5. You Know When to Ask for Help

You are not a know-it-all. When you are lost or confused, you know when to ask for help. Asking for help, keeps mistakes from happening or from making things worse. You don’t want to be the one to leave the faucet running, watching the entire place flood, without knowing how to turn it off. If anything, not asking questions makes you the problem. Asking questions doesn’t make you weak and not knowing everything doesn’t make you dumb. You know that and it’s evident in your independent nature.

6. You Share Your Career Success With Others

You are a kind and giving person. Your independence allows you to take care of others and let them reap the benefits of all your hard work. You give out extravagant gifts and decorations because you can afford it. You buy your mom the house of her dreams and your dad the nice car he’s always wanted because they instilled in you the motivation to become self-sufficient. You also find time to volunteer and give back to the community that helped craft you into the person you’ve become. You give to others because people gave to you and helped you become the successful person you are.

7. You Are Seen as the Go To Person

If you are doing well, people will gladly point it out. You have become the go to person for everything at work because your colleagues know that they can depend on you. You are reliable and hardworking, and everyone knows it. You have been given raises and promotions at every company you’ve worked for and word of your awesomeness has spread. Determination and hard work don’t go unnoticed and that is a pretty good thing. When people see you taking care of your responsibilities and receiving promotions, they congratulate you and admire you. You receive well deserved compliments left and right. And you’ve achieved all these because you’re independent and you like people to rely on you.

Being a strong independent person is what everyone should aspire to be. There are a number of benefits to being self-sufficient and able to work alone. There is an immense amount of opportunities open to independent people. When you start to exhibit these signs, new doors will open for you and you will definitely be in a better place in life.