I was a nice guy, and yeah...I can say that nice guys do finish last...but, as I have grown, I have balanced it out, and developed great inner strength...being a good listener is not a fault, it is a asset. Being helpful, is not a fault, but a asset---being too helpful and over extending yourself, is a fault...I had to learn the hard way.
Being a rock that someone can depend on is good, being a doormat that everybody comes to trample on is not...being firm and knowing when to say "no" is the best, instead of always yes, or being a asshole and always saying "no" is the the incorrect way of going about it...
Standing your ground, no mater what---if you believe in what you stand for, in your mind and heart---is The Way...