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Yesterday, one of the followers of my Facebook page alerted me to a recent ABC news story on bullying. In it, an expert pointed out that people-pleasers are the primary target of bullies, and that most people-pleasers are women.
I think that most of us who habitually people-please are well aware that it makes us vulnerable to mean, controlling people, but to hear it said so matter-of-factly was a real "aha" moment for me.
People-pleasing doesn't just drain you and prevent you from getting your true needs met. It erects a neon flashing "target" sign over your head.
Have you ever been in a situation with someone intimidating and demanding, and nervously tried to keep the peace by going along with anything they wanted, trying to keep them happy? If it works, it's usually only temporary. They'll get more demanding, and often treat you even more poorly as time goes by.
In recent years, I have managed to significantly (though not totally!) downgrade my people-pleasing tendencies, and life feels much safer and better. If you struggle with this, here are some tips that might help:
1. Cultivate awareness.
If you're like me, people-pleasing has been something you've done for a lifetime. It's a deeply ingrained habit with its roots in the way you view yourself and the world. You probably won't be able to stop this habit immediately, and don't expect to.
Start by noticing when you do it. What are the usual circumstances? Who are the people that trigger it? Why do think you do it? How might you handle yourself differently next time? Journaling about this can be very helpful.
2. Know the difference between goodwill and pleasing.
This isn't about never doing anything for anyone else again. Notice when, in your heart, you genuinely want to do something for someone versus when you're doing something just because someone else wants you to, or you want to manipulate the situation, or you fear consequences if you don't do it. Learning the difference will help you make better choices for yourself.
3. Understand where it comes from.
Look back at your life and try to identify when you started to do this. How did you get the idea that you had to accommodate the needs of others more than your own? As a child, I got a lot of approval for being "mature" and really helpful. I got addicted to approval early on, and people-pleasing is an obvious (though yucky) way to try to get that. I also fear that if I don't go along with what others want they'll reject me. What is it for you?
4. Pay close attention to bad feelings.
If you notice yourself feeling angry, resentful, frustrated, or sad after an interaction with someone, ask yourself if people-pleasing contributed to it. Did you just agree again to something you don't want to do? Did you just tell someone a lie in order to make or keep them happy? Often people-pleasing is so deeply ingrained that you don't even notice you are doing it; the negative feelings you have afterward (or towards another person, period) may be the only clue.
5. Don't worry about becoming "selfish."
Many people I coach in this area worry that they'll become (or be viewed as) selfish if they start honoring their own needs and saying no. In my experience, the types of people who focus on the needs of others to a fault are so far on the extreme of the scale, that even if they radically changed their behavior they'd still probably be more generous and kind than most. Not something to worry about — so don't bother. Truly selfish people don't worry that they're being selfish! They don't care.
6. Pay attention to your posture.
I have a tendency to give my power away, and an expert who was helping me with this taught me the importance of avoiding "victim posture" (hunched over, small, submissive). I'm a flamenco dancer, so she encouraged me to take a big breath and hold my head high like the dancer I am, whenever I was tempted to cave in (literally and figuratively). Standing or sitting tall and breathing deeply will help you keep your promises to yourself in the face of pressure from others. Cowering in front of a bully also makes it more likely that they'll up the ante.
7. Get professional help.
If you're surrounded by people who don't respect you and want to bend you to their will, it does wonders to work with a professional psychologist or counselor who can help you and encourage you in standing up for yourself. I've found that experts help me see things about relationship dynamics and my own beliefs and thought processes that I would never see on my own. It helps immensely to have someone like that in your corner.
What has your experience been with this? How do you struggle with people-pleasing? Have you managed to conquer this issue, and if so how? I'd love to hear from you in the Comment section below.
I'm a medical doctor, health and happiness expert, life and health coach, professional speaker, flamenco dancer, and author — you can find me on my website.
Copyright Dr. Susan Biali, M.D. 2013
