In case you didn’t know: You’re actually smart.

You probably haven’t been told this much lately, especially if you’re somehow involved with a narcissist.

They make everything worse—including your self-esteem.

So if you were offered ways to prove how smart you are, by outdoing a narcissist—you’d take it, right?

Anything to empower you!

I totally agree.

So now you know why you’re here, what are you waiting for?

1 You Need to Be Aware

The word narcissist is being thrown around a lot these days, with frequent accusations from people who don’t really know the depth of devastation it can cause.

A narcissist is more than just someone who has a slightly inflated view of themselves, or likes to take too many selfies.

Related : WARNING: How Narcissists Use Your Children Against You

A narcissist is dangerous, and they’re always looking for ways to hurt you, inflict pain on you, and then enjoy your sadness as if it were a last hurrah before the fast.

Recognizing true narcissism and narcissistic abuse will give you the upper hand you’re looking for.

2 Staying One Step Ahead

The first step is to be aware of how much there is to learn!

The terms, behaviors, dynamics, how they make you feel, the familiar conflict they execute so well, the silence, the manipulation, the name-calling, the anger, the love-bombing—I’m only scratching the surface here.

If you want to stay one step ahead of the narcissist in order to outmaneuver them, you have to learn them well.

If you can get ahead, you can predict more of what you’re being blindly led into. You can begin to turn your helplessness into empowerment.

If you can do that, you can reclaim your life.

3 Complacency Leads to Deception

I believe that all victims feel complacent when they’re under the watchful, determined eye of a narcissist.

The belief that they’re simply letting things happen without much intervention is due to a desire to keep the peace, not because they necessarily want to be abused.

Related : 10 Morning Habits That Reveal Someone Is a Narcissist

If you ignore it, it may stop. Maybe things will change.

If you become too complacent, you’ll stop playing the game, and you won’t wake up until you’re completely isolated, unrecognizable, and a hollowed-out version of the optimistic person you once were.

The longer you let the narcissist roll the dice, the longer the game—and the deception—will last.

4 Dealing with Dynamics

The word dynamics has come up a few times, but I want to tell you what I mean by it.

You’re the type of person that narcissists always exploit in some way. They call you in their sweet, sick voice, and ask how you’re doing.

They flirt with you.

After the seduction is over—they surprise you. They take the information you give them to people they know will cause drama.

They ask you for favors. They ignore you. They steal your ideas at work. They accuse you of stealing theirs.

So, I ask you now, if you really want to outsmart a narcissist, you need to understand the dynamics in your own circumstances.

Understanding these dynamics is a surefire way to equip yourself to outsmart them.

5 Narcissist Weaknesses

Every narcissist has a long list of weaknesses.

For some, it might be good food, or a good bottle of wine.

For others, it might be listening to gossip, or being the one to tell you gossip.

For others, it might be sports, fast cars, or the gym.

Whatever the narcissist loves, find a way to give it to them, especially if it benefits you.

Related : 13 Red Flag Behaviors When Narcissists Meet Your Friends

It’s funny to watch any narcissist actually fall for someone who is trying to entice them to change. Many of them don’t even realize they’re being tempted, they love the attention.

So – give them the attention.

Outsmart them!

6 Know Your Strengths

Let’s try to think of this in a certain way:

In order to outsmart a narcissist, you must first know your strengths. You’ll be surprised here. Victims are often taught that they are weak and worthless.

The only reason narcissists try to turn that narrative onto you is because they want you to be.

But you’re not that person.

Outsmarting a narcissist comes from refusing to be labeled as anything other than the brilliant person you are. You are more than capable of thinking outside the box and winning this battle.

Does it sometimes feel like it never ends?

Of course. They want to wear you down.

7 Let’s Talk Boundaries

After narcissists have been imposing their will for so long, they need to know that your boundaries are stronger than ever.

It can come as a bit of a shock to them to see you assert your boundaries, be confident, and make it clear what you will and will not tolerate.

Related : How To Brilliantly Outsmart A Narcissist

When no means no, and yes means yes, you may find the narcissist losing his mind when he can’t cross the line anymore.

They will always try, and they may change the appearance of that attempt, but you will learn and know better.

8 Getting Exhausted From the Same Old Thing

This is what usually creates the desire for the victim to start outwitting the narcissist. During this time, they think of ways to:

Feel like they are not as controlled as they once were

Prevent the narcissist from trying to sabotage their plans

Prevent the narcissist from assuming they can take and take

The old doesn’t have to be the same as the new.

Subtle outsmarting might look like this:

Not revealing your plans, so they can’t sabotage them
Ignoring them
Not communicating
Not communicating
Being passive-aggressive
Being smart-aggressive – don’t give them any expression at all

9 Be Shiny – Be You

Some of the best advice victims can follow when trying to outwit the narcissist is:

The best revenge is success.

If you are the type of person who has the biggest, brightest aura, and the narcissist is trying to dim that light – the best thing you can do is let them shine even brighter.

I know this isn’t easy when you don’t know enough about abuse, narcissistic abuse, but the more you learn, the more you can understand.

Related : 8 Silly Mistakes Narcissists Make

So, follow your goals. Set them first. Want the best, and work towards it.

Don’t let anyone stop you from wanting what you’ve set your heart on. Follow the path you want to follow, not the path you’ve been pushed into.

The best part about this is that there are no downsides.

You can be yourself, find happiness, and be yourself, and the narcissist outshines everyone else when they know their tactics are no longer effective.