People pleasers often disappoint

people pleasersThe sad truth about people who try to please everyone is that they often end up letting others down. So the thing they fear the most ends up happening. Sadly, the most important people in their lives are often the ones who are rarely pleased. Tearful women tell me that their partners put everyone else’s needs before their own and men pretend not to be hurt when their partners seem to care more about others.

People pleasers are always feeling torn. They feel like they have everyone’s happiness in their hands. They fear any form of criticism and are often defensive when empathy is needed. They are terribly sensitive – both to the needs of their friends and workmates and to being hurt themselves. They just don’t realise that their partners also have needs and don’t appreciate being last on the priority list.

How is a people pleaser created? Some have parents who have taught them that the opinions of others matter most in life. So they learn to fear negative evaluation of any sort. Others were brought up in a household full of conflict and the consequences of making mistakes were abusive or violent. So they learn to avoid conflict at all costs.

People pleasers have a strong incentive to change. Their significant relationships are at risk if they don’t learn to prioritise. If you are a people pleaser, it’s possible to continue being the lovely person you are and still maintain the trust and love of your partner. How? By:

  • learning to tolerate criticism
  • practicing showing empathy
  • learning to say no without having to explain why
  • putting your partner first when appropriate
  • accepting that you won’t be liked by everyone
  • practicing decision-making without relying on others’ opinions
  • and understanding that avoiding conflict often makes the fear worse

And for those parents of young children, be careful not to make them worry too much about what others think of them. Teach them strong values so they know the difference between right and wrong, but stress the importance of prioritising close relationships and reminding them that they matter too.

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Money matters

electric 3d dollar currency signMost families these days have dual incomes at some stage and rarely are these incomes equal. In the couples I see, the money is most commonly managed by the higher income earner. Sometimes, the money is kept in separate personal accounts with the couple agreeing on who pays what. But more often, the money is pooled and used to pay for all expenses. Rarely is there complete harmony when it comes to how the money is spent. That’s because there’s usually a spender and a saver in any one relationship and the different attitudes can cause arguments.

You don’t have to have a spending problem to be the spender. Nor do you have to be very tight with money to be the saver. Many generous people are savers and many discerning shoppers are spenders. We are all on a continuum and rarely are we on the same point on that line as our partner.

In the couples I see, the spender is often resentful of the control the saver tries to have over their spending and the saver is resentful about the money the spender spends. Following me? In other words, it’s hard for both parties. As usual, a pinch of empathy for the other person’s position will go a long way and after that, here are some strategies to minimise the issues that can arise from different attitudes towards money:

  • Have insight – know whether you are a saver or a spender and why
  • Understand why your partner thinks the way they do – it’s usually related to their upbringing
  • Draw up a household budget with all income and expenses – a horrible, but necessary task
  • Agree on an amount that both can use at their discretion – no questions asked
  • Work out who is going to manage the budget – I often suggest that it’s the spender, so they are forced to be aware of the consequences of overspending
  • Agree that you will both check with the other person before overspending – too often, the manager of the budget doesn’t consult with the other because they know when it’s okay to spend, which just leaves the other person feeling a sense of inequality if they are always asked to justify any spending over the allotted amount
  • Be good role models for your children – it’s hard to teach them how to manage money if you’re constantly arguing over finances
  • Don’t link pocket money to chores – many people will disagree with me on this, but I believe that unless you are going to follow through with threats to hold back their allowance if they don’t do their chores, it’s not helpful to keep nagging them to hold up their end of the bargain but still dishing out the money. Children need to be constantly asked to help around the house and be given responsibilities to prepare them for adulthood. And giving them an allowance is a good way to teach them how to save and spend responsibly. By keeping the two issues separate, the messages of money management and being part of a household are clearer.

 

 

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My empty nest

empty nestLife as I know it has changed. My youngest has finished school and has turned 18. She and her brother are doing exactly what they’re supposed to be doing – living life as young adults. I’m happy for them and proud of them and I feel so lucky to have had them to myself for the past 20 years. There have been many days recently when I have cried because I miss them so much. Not because they have officially left home, but because they are no longer dependent on us. They still need to be loved and advised and supported, but they have started the next chapter of their lives. We have done our best to prepare them for life.

I don’t feel old, but I feel older. I’m not lonely, but I’m lonelier. It’s time for my new chapter. It feels wonderful to be free of school terms, school lunches, and school uniforms. I can now dedicate my extra free time to nurturing the other relationships in my life – with my husband, my friends and extended family.

But my mind has not drifted far past the children. How can I maintain close relationships with my adult son and daughter without stifling their independence? How can I make sure I never guilt them into spending time with us? How can I make them look forward to coming home? Surely the answer is to keep living my life and to continue to advertise the next stage for them. If they see their parents living meaningful lives, then hopefully they will want to remain part of those lives. Who knows? This is new to me ….

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Just don’t ask

Pretty young woman portraitWhen are you going to have kids? Are you going to have another child? Have you thought about adoption? What about IVF? Are you going to get married? Did your house sell? Did you get the job? Why do we insist on asking questions that are highly likely to trigger embarrassment? We may think that it’s just friendly concern or polite interest in other people’s lives to ask such personal questions. But the couple trying to conceive or stuck in the adoption pool dread these questions and can even start to withdraw socially to avoid being put on the spot once again.

I am often asked by clients how to respond to these intrusions into their private lives. They want to say None of your business, but they don’t want to cause offence. So here you have people who are worried about upsetting the ones who are being pretty thoughtless.  No wonder they start to keep to themselves.

Surely it would be better to have a general policy not to ask personal questions, even if they are a close friend. We can all assume that if there was news they wanted to share, we would hear about it. They wouldn’t be waiting patiently for us to ask the question before they tell us that they are pregnant, have finally sold the house, are engaged, or have been told that there is a child for them to adopt.

We may have the best intentions – to be supportive and enthusiastic, but an even better person keeps their interest and curiosity in check until someone has something they want us to know.

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What can I do to fix this situation?

halo 2It’s perfectly normal to be frustrated by our partner’s behaviour or that of a colleague or friend. Many of us believe that we understand why the other person behaves the way they do and know what they have to do to change. But as the saying goes, we can only change ourselves so it might be time to focus on what you can do to change their behaviour.

Perhaps your partner is a poor communicator and you wish that he or she would tell you why they are looking so unhappy or at least whether they will be home for dinner or not. But what if your reactions are making it harder for your partner to open up? What if they are worried that if they tell you the truth, it will start an argument that they would rather avoid? In other words, what can you do to make it easier for your partner to be a better communicator?

Maybe a colleague is driving you crazy because they are disorganised and approach everything in a chaotic way. It might be obvious to you that they should slow down, think through things carefully and work as part of a team. But what if your attitude towards them is very negative? What if they feel like you’re a giant handbrake, which is making them want to push harder or be unrealistically positive? When we zoom out and look at the dynamic within our relationships, it can be empowering. We can feel less helpless if we work out what we can do to improve that dynamic. Instead of complaining that your workmate is all over the place, why not allow some of their enthusiasm to rub off on you and resist the urge to point out the problems straight away. Try to praise their efforts and then suggest what you could do to address the gaping holes that you can see.

You might have a friend who seems to always want things to go their way. You see the movie they want to see or go to the restaurant they way to try. Over time, the resentment builds up and you start to feel the power imbalance. Instead of waiting until the resentment destroys the friendship, consider what role you’re playing in this dynamic. Maybe you hesitate to make suggestions yourself. Perhaps you are a little passive-aggressive and wait to be asked for your opinion or give subtle hints that go unnoticed. Your friend may be oblivious to the fact that you have a clear idea about what you want to eat or what movie you want to see. Even if you do speak up and your friend still tries to overrule you, be assertive and insist that next time it’s your choice. Once you change the dance steps, the other person can’t help but follow.

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It’s hard to appreciate what you didn’t ask for

Thank You - Red 3D Text.How often have you felt annoyed that your efforts to please another person weren’t appreciated? Perhaps you offered to help someone move house only to receive little thanks at the end of the day.  Maybe you spend hours dreaming up fabulous meals to cook for a partner who’d be happier eating meat and three veg. Or perhaps you go above and beyond your role as a parent by driving your children and their friends all over town, buying presents for their friends when they earn their own money, or volunteering to tutor your child for their upcoming exams while trying to ignore their glazed eyes..

When we feel unappreciated, resentment builds up. In an argument, out comes the list of things we have done for the other person without any thanks. It can be infuriating when our partner or child points out that they didn’t ask for help in the first place. Hold on a second?? What?? Oh yes, that’s right – I offered. But shouldn’t we still receive thanks when we do a good deed? Shouldn’t our efforts be rewarded? Most people say that they don’t help others to get the thanks, but it’s amazing how often we forget this fact.

For everybody’s sake it would be good if we all tried to:

  • Give without the need for thanks
  • Consider who we’re giving what to – does this person really want what I’m offering?
  • And remember to thank others for their effort even if we didn’t ask them for it

Altruism increases our own level of happiness by giving us a sense of meaning and purpose. We don’t need thanks to feel good about being charitable. But we shouldn’t martyr ourselves by being everything to everyone only to end up feeling used.

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The Moral Maze at Vitality

VitalityIt’s not long until TheCarousel.com presents the Moral Maze at The Vitality Show in Sydney. The themes of the Vitality Show are health, wellness and beauty and the aim is to give women the tools to look and feel their best. The show runs over three days from Friday 10 October to Sunday 12 October at the Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park, Sydney.

On Saturday 11 October, I will be hosting some fascinating conversations we at The Carousel like to call The Moral Maze. I will be chatting with Chris Bath from Channel 7, Karen Lawson from CareerOne, and Nedahl Stelio from The Carousel. The sessions will start on the Canon Main Stage at 10.30am.

Come along and hear us discuss:

  • Improving your relationships will improve your health and wellbeing
  • The impact of stroke on young Australians
  • Getting ahead in Australia’s hottest new industries
  • Getting your mojo back after motherhood

With such a wide range of topics, there’s sure to be something to tempt you to join us. More information on the Vitality Show can be found at www.vitalityshow.com.au and visit TheCarousel.com to watch previous Moral Mazes.

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University is not for everyone

Graduation people jumpingMy daughter is finishing school this year. She has enjoyed school, but like most 18 year olds, she is more than ready to leave. She has a clear idea of what she wants to do next. Her dad and I are right behind her and will support and encourage her dream. The trouble is, she is receiving minimal support from anywhere else because shock, horror – she doesn’t have any interest in going to university. Why is this such a problem? Her friends, her friends’ parents, her aunts and uncles all seem to struggle with the idea of her not wanting to get a degree.

When did this happen – this insistence that the only way to success and happiness is via university? Is this the case everywhere, or just where we live? In the past, you needed a degree to be able to do certain careers. The current attitude is that it doesn’t matter what it is, just get a degree. No wonder the drop out rate is so high. No wonder university graduates are no longer guaranteed a job when they finish.

My daughter is constantly being asked about her back-up plan. She is being told over and over again to at least apply to go to uni and defer for a year. And although she can see the path she wants to take, that’s not good enough for people around her. University is not free. It is not easy to get a degree if you are not interested in the course you’re studying and it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll walk straight into a well paying job. So her dad and I will continue to help her defend her right not to attend university, just as we will support her if she changes her mind down the track.

Posted in Life lessons, Parenting | 1 Comment

Introducing my new book

Do you want to improve your relationship? Are there issues that keep coming up and never get resolved? Do you think it’s too late? Or maybe you believe things are pretty good, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

detox_your_relationshipDetox your Relationship explores ways to bring you closer to your partner. If there is no violence or abuse occurring, most relationships can be steered onto a better path with a touch of detox. Learning how to replace apathy, distractions, dependence, game playing, control and poor communication with a variety of helpful skills and strategies is not only possible, it’s often far easier than the alternative – splitting up.

If you’re at a crossroad or you simply want a stronger relationship, head to detoxyourrelationship.com and rid you and your partner of any toxic elements that may have crept into your life together.

 

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It’s okay to quit

????????????????????????????????????When did quitting become the worst thing in the world?  Parents often worry about a child wanting to stop learning the piano or finish their swimming lessons once they have become competent swimmers. Adults can stay in jobs they loathe because they don’t want to feel like a quitter. They can baulk at taking up a new interest or studying later in life for fear of dropping out if it doesn’t work. First year university students don’t seem to worry about quitting – they’re leaving in droves, but perhaps that’s because university has become the norm, instead of an option for those who are really interested in doing a specific course.

Why are we so concerned when our child wants to quit something? Is it because we regret stopping piano or swimming lessons when we were young? Do we fear that they will never finish anything they start and will never be able to commit to anything? Why do we feel ashamed to drop out of a course or change jobs ourselves? Are we worried about how we will look to our friends and family?

Surely it’s important to keep making informed decisions and to teach our children how to make good choices. Why do you feel like quitting? If the activity or job really doesn’t interest you, what is the point in hanging in there? But if you want to leave because you’re afraid that you’re not up to the task or people will discover that you’re not as good as they thought you were, then you may be suffering from imposter fear and that should be addressed.

If you want to quit because your quality of life is really being impacted by the demands of the job or the course, then what’s wrong with aiming for a less stressful existence? But if you concerned that you’re not perfect – you’re not getting high distinctions or you’re not employee of the year, then your perfectionism may need be tackled.

If a child presents a good argument about why they want to stop learning to play the guitar or why gymnastics isn’t for them anymore, we need to listen. Telling them not to quit doesn’t really teach them how to weigh up all the information and make an informed decision. Encouraging them to come up with alternate ways to live and learn is surely a better life lesson than don’t be a quitter.

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