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The Mel Robbins Podcast

Start Putting Yourself First: Tools to Say No Without Guilt or Drama

The Mel Robbins Podcast

SiriusXM Podcasts

Society & Culture, Self-improvement, Education, Mental Health, Relationships, Health & Fitness

4.615.3K Ratings

🗓️ 27 February 2023

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, you are going to learn how to put yourself first. Which means you and I are having a conversation about people-pleasing. You know you do it. I do it, too. In fact, unless you're a narcissistic jerk (and you’re not if you’re listening to these podcast episodes), we are all people-pleasers to some extent. Being a people-pleaser is a coping mechanism and it is destroying your energy, your time, your dreams, and your sanity. Every time you say yes to something you don’t really want to do, you’re saying no to yourself. Today, we’re changing that in a surprising way. First, you’ll become aware of when and why you do it. Second, you’ll learn the science-backed tools you need to break the habit of always putting other people’s needs before your own. Third, you and I are going to have a talk about guilt, because when you start saying no, one thing I can guarantee is that you’ll feel guilty about it. I used to, too. I don’t anymore. And I’ll explain how you can handle the guilt and still put yourself first. One of the critical steps to creating a life you love is learning how to say yes to what matters to you and no to what doesn’t. This is a big topic; there are a lot of surprising layers. So I can’t wait for you to apply these relatable and easy strategies to your life and to hear about your breakthroughs. Xo Mel In this episode, you’ll learn: 1:50: What the heck IS people-pleasing anyway? (4 takeaways you may have not heard) 5:12: I bet you can relate to Janet who learned this message as a kid. 6:00: Let’s just get the bad news about guilt out of the way. 7:15: Because here is some good news about guilt! 9:00: What does a pool table have to do with people-pleasing? 14:50: I still cringe when I think of this phone call with my father. 18:45: Here’s how a pool table can double as a desk 😂 22:10: What happens when your friends don’t like the “new you”? 24:45: At the heart of people-pleasing is this. 26:00: This research explains why we avoid discomfort. 27:16: Think people-pleasing is about others? Think again. 28:00: The surprising advice for how to handle disappointment from others. 31:50: What if your lifestyle is now different from your friends? 34:30: Here’s where to find friends who get you. 35:10: Please stop looking here for validation as you change your life. 37:50: Are you sure you know when you’re being authentic? 40:00: Do this to start figuring out who you really are. 42:00: Do this next time you’re asked to do something you don’t want to do. 47:00: Here’s how my friend Amy reacted when I had to bail on her at dinner in Vegas. 48:50: This is what happens every time you start to say no. Want me to answer your question on the podcast? Submit it here. Visit www.melrobbins.com/podcast for additional resources. Sign up for my free 5-day Wake Up Challenge. Disclaimer

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to a guilt-free and selfish episode of the Mel Robbins podcast.

0:09.2

Let's go, people!

0:10.9

Alright, welcome!

0:16.0

Why did I call this episode selfish?

0:18.4

Well, because you and I, we're going to talk about people pleasing.

0:22.4

And I am going to teach you the art and the science of putting yourself first.

0:29.6

Wouldn't that be nice?

0:31.1

I know it would be nice, and you deserve that.

0:33.8

If you're new to the Mel Robbins podcast, I just want to welcome you.

0:36.8

My name is Mel Robbins.

0:38.0

I'm a New York Times bestselling author and one of the most respected experts in the world

0:42.4

on the subject of change and motivation.

0:45.2

And we're talking about people pleasing.

0:47.8

And one of the reasons why I want to talk about people pleasing is it is so misunderstood.

0:53.4

I used to struggle with people pleasing.

0:55.6

Today, you and I are going to unpack this topic.

0:58.0

We're going to define it.

0:59.4

I'm going to explain what the research says about the brain and people pleasing,

1:02.8

because that's going to be really interesting when you realize that people pleasing is something

1:08.0

that everybody deals with.

1:10.5

And by the end of this episode, you're going to have tools.

1:12.8

Tools that are going to make you more self-aware.

...

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