If you’re someone who knows the value of a good apology–not just for mending fences but also for strengthening relationships in every area of life–you’re way ahead of most people. But if you apologize constantly for every little thing–whether or not it’s warranted–listen up. You may be standing in the way of your own success. The habit of injecting the word “sorry” into every other sentence you utter might seem harmless on the surface. But it can undermine your authority and your confidence, portray you as weak and indecisive, and even damage your credibility. Worst of all, over-apologizing can desensitize your listeners when you want to deliver a sincere and necessary apology. The more you say you’re sorry, the less power it has. Remember the boy who cried wolf? If everything rises to the need for an apology, then nothing does. So, how do you stop saying sorry so much? And what do you say instead? Take a look here at this detailed guide that will give you a number of scenarios that you might be able to relate to so you can diagnose the problem of over-apologizing and start finding better, stronger alternatives when you communicate.