In a nutshell, an entitled individual is someone who thinks that the rules governing society don’t apply to them. They believe they’re special and above common social requirements for polite behavior.

In other words, in their minds, they are so different from all the other folks around them that they don’t have to follow the rest of the crowd.

So, they might, for example, cut in line at cafes and shops, ask to be seated without a reservation at busy restaurants, etc. You have probably personally experienced people (mis)behaving this way countless times.

WebMD explains that the entitlement mentality, which is a narcissistic personality trait, centers around the idea of “you owe me.”

There’s a sense of deservingness there, as if the person is ‘owed’ a favor, even though they have done nothing or very little to deserve that special treatment.

The environment in which you were raised can massively affect how you perceive the world around you, as well as what you expect from others. The following are some social factors that might influence the development of a sense of entitlement, as per WebMD:

1. The environment you grew up in;
2. The way your parents treated you;
3. Whether adults solved your problems for you;
4. How you were treated by authority figures.

Because entitled people believe they’re superior to others, it can affect the relationships they have with others, both personal and professional. Entitlement can lead to a lot of long-term damage, including more conflicts with others, unhappiness, disappointment, and even depression.

From a professional perspective, your career can suffer if you behave in an overly entitled manner, don’t think the rules apply to you, and think that you deserve better treatment.

True, entitlement (and the resulting sense of confidence) can mean that you do well in job interviews and get leadership roles. However, a self-serving mentality can damage team spirit and make it harder to problem-solve.

According to WebMD, when someone feels entitled, they’re “always vulnerable to the threat of unmet expectations.” When those expectations aren’t met, it can lead to dissatisfaction, anger, and thoughts of how you’ve been cheated out of what you deserve. Distressed, you might then reassure yourself that you deserve everything you’ve wanted, which in turn reinforces the initial sense of entitlement.

Overcoming entitlement means changing your mindset by embracing more gratitude and humility. This will eventually help you become a more considerate and responsible human being who understands that everyone’s a human being who deserves respect.

It can also help if you recognize that life can be unfair at times and if you see failure as an opportunity for growth. Volunteering your time, effort, and money can also help you connect with others.

Verywell Mind explains that a sense of entitlement can sometimes be a symptom of a personality disorder, such as narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder.

How a person was raised, whether they were given special treatment as a kid, and whether their caregivers shielded them from the consequences of their actions can contribute to a sense of entitlement.

Other important factors to consider include whether they were spoiled as a child or quite the opposite, if they were denied things and therefore now believe the world ‘owes’ them something in return.

As per Verywell Mind, overcoming entitlement begins by recognizing that it impacts your life. You should understand that nobody (including you) is entitled to anything in life.

“Unfortunately, the world does not owe you anything. Life is unfair, and it's your job to make the best of what you get in life, not to complain about what you deserve but don't have.”