People We Try to Please, People We Please, and People We Should Please: Understanding the Difference for a Fulfilling Career and Life

People-pleasing is a tricky business. On the one hand, it's nice to be liked and appreciated. On the other hand, constantly worrying about what others think and trying to please everyone can be exhausting and unfulfilling. In this article, we'll take a humorous look at the three types of people we encounter in our lives and careers: the people we try to please, the people we please, and the people we should please.

The People We Try to Please

Let's face it, we all know someone (or several someones) who seem impossible to please. No matter what you do, they're always finding something to complain about. They're the ones who send back their food at a restaurant three times, or who demand that you redo a project for the umpteenth time. These people are the ones we try to please, but it's a losing battle. No matter how hard we try, they're never satisfied.

The People We Please

Then there are the people we do manage to please. They're the ones who appreciate our efforts and let us know it. They're the ones who make us feel good about ourselves and our work. They're the ones who give us the warm fuzzies. These people are the ones we should focus on pleasing, but it's easy to forget about them when we're busy trying to please everyone else.

The People We Should Please

Finally, there are the people we should please. These are the ones who matter the most in our lives and careers. They're the ones who share our values, who support our goals, and who help us become the best versions of ourselves. They're the ones who push us to grow and improve, even when it's uncomfortable. These people are the ones we should be striving to please, but it's easy to get distracted by the other two groups.

So how do we strike a balance between these three types of people? How do we prioritize our efforts so that we're not wasting our time and energy on the wrong ones?

First, we need to recognize that we can't please everyone. It's simply impossible. Instead of trying to please everyone, we should focus on pleasing the people who matter the most. These are the people who will appreciate our efforts the most and who will help us achieve our goals.

Second, we need to learn to say no to the people we can't please. It's okay to set boundaries and to stop trying to please those who are impossible to please. It's better to focus our energy on the people who matter and who appreciate our efforts.

Finally, we need to remember that people-pleasing is not the same as being kind and respectful. We can still be kind and respectful to everyone, even if we're not trying to please them. We should treat everyone with dignity and respect, even if they're not the ones we're focusing our efforts on.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between the people we try to please, the people we please, and the people we should please is essential for a fulfilling career and life. By prioritizing our efforts and learning to say no to the people we can't please, we can focus on pleasing the people who matter the most and who will appreciate our efforts the most. And remember, it's okay to be kind and respectful to everyone, even if we're not trying to please them. After all, laughter is the best medicine, and a good sense of humor is essential to navigating the ups and downs of people-pleasing.