Anyone people-please?

[Qutzupalotl]

7. Bravo on your insight

about explaining yourself. Most times, you don't need to.

I've been called a people-pleaser because I sincerely want to give people what they ask for or need. In my opinion, that's just what being nice is. My job as a designer requires approvals of higher-ups, and seeking approval tends to spill over into other areas of life.

The problems arise when I base my self-worth on their reaction or opinion of me. The trick seems to be cultivating a healthy self-image independent of other people's opinion of me, including an honest estimation of my abilities and a realistic level of expectations. I'm not the best or the worst. That seems to blunt the effect of criticism to the point where it doesn't bother me.