Do you put others before yourself? Do people in your life describe you as extremely giving or even selfless? If so, you may be engaging in people-pleasing behaviors. While kindness and generosity are wonderful traits, some of us take them to an extreme.
This article outlines how people-pleasing develops and provides tips to reduce these behaviors at home and at work. A few that stand out are: only apologize once for a mistake, and avoid overselling yourself to prove your value to others.
Remember that your worth is inherent; you do not need to constantly demonstrate your value. We often share this guidance with our loved ones, but may not take this message to heart for ourselves. I hope reading this serves as your reminder that you are valuable just as you are and can put yourself first.
Written by: Taejah Vemuri, LCPC, MPH, Urban Balance