Trying Too Hard To Be Liked? Here's 10 Ways To Stop

In a group, humans can function like wolves, but if they detect a hint of desperation, they will either ostracize or harm the perpetrator.

If you have trouble making friends or feel like an outcast in social situations, one piece of advice is to not put too much effort into it.

Trying too hard is one thing that turns people away. In doing so, it sends the wrong message about your character and how you approach the world.

Trying too hard can be perceived as dishonest or untrustworthy. Whether or not they’ll tell you the whole, unflattering truth is unclear.

Relaxing your body, changing your mindset, making clear goals, setting healthy boundaries, using your natural voice, and being more considerate and human to others are ways to stop being trying hard.

In this article, we will tackle the tips on how to make a good first impression by being genuine and natural in your relations with others and how to avoid being “trying too hard”

Are you trying too hard?

You put so much effort into trying to be liked, funny, or cool to get people to accept and like you. It could be a positive sign because it shows how much you care about people.

The problem arises when you rely on the approval of others to make you feel good about yourself and build your sense of self-worth.

You’ll be able to have more natural interactions and be accepted for who you are when you let go, open up, and become more authentic.

In addition to reducing stress and increasing self-esteem and self-confidence, authenticity has been shown to reduce anxiety.

Keep an eye out for the actions and habits that will have the best chance of paying off in your relationships. You can improve your relationships by being more thoughtful, kind, and attentive to others.

A person’s self-worth does not come from the opinions of others, but rather from within.

You can improve your self-esteem and reduce your reliance on the approval of others by accepting your flaws, practicing self-compassion, setting boundaries, and staying true to your values.

10 Ways On How To Stop Being “Trying Too Hard”

You may be relying too heavily on strategies that don’t work while neglecting those that do in your quest to come across as cool, funny, or likable.

To achieve greater success, focus on the habits and tendencies that have been shown to make people more likable.

There are many ways to relax and open up, rather than focusing on what you think other people want or expect of you.

Here are ten ways to make a good first impression by being more genuine and natural in your interactions with others:

1. Relax your body

The tightening of your muscles and rigidity of posture can be signs that you’re feeling nervous or awkward. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and let your shoulders drop to help you relax and release tension.

Keep your body from becoming too stiff by finding a posture that is both comfortable and relaxing for you.

Take deep breaths and release tension in your muscles to help you feel calmer, more confident, and more at ease with others. This will allow you to interact more naturally with others.

2. Use your natural voice

Nervous people tend to speak more quickly or louder than they normally do, as well as to speak with more emphasis. When they’re nervous, many people unintentionally adopt the behaviors and speech patterns of those around them.

To better understand yourself, pay attention to what kind of language and phrases you use when you’re speaking with people you’re most comfortable with.

If you can use your natural voice with everyone, you’ll be able to communicate in a way that feels normal and natural to both of you.

3. Slow down and take a breather

There is a fine line between filling every slack and making the conversation feel like it’s moving too quickly.

Relax and be more natural in your communication by taking your time and speaking only when it is appropriate.

To avoid having conversations feel rushed, forced, or one-sided, it is important to allow for silences and pauses when speaking.

Taking the pressure off yourself by encouraging others to engage, open up, and talk more will also help you show interest in others, which will help you make a positive impression.

4. Change your mindset

Negative and critical thoughts feed anxiety, making it grow and become more pronounced over time. Many people find that they can talk to others more naturally if they can interrupt or change their negative thoughts, making it easier to do so.

The most effective treatment for anxiety is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which aims to alter anxious thoughts.

5. Make your goals clear

When it comes to relationships, a lot of people play pranks or don’t say what they want. The fear of being open about wanting something more serious leads some people to settle for hookups.

As a result of playing games such as these, you may be sending out mixed signals that may be confusing to others. Start conversations, show interest, and ask them to hang out instead of pretending to be indifferent if you want to be friends with someone.

6. Consider how you can help others

When you’re feeling anxious or insecure, you’re more likely to be preoccupied with your thoughts, which makes it difficult to concentrate on what the other person is saying.

You can interrupt your thoughts and become more present and engaged in your conversations if you shift your focus away from yourself and onto the people around you.

To improve this skill, practice paying attention to what other people have to say and practicing active listening.

It’s a proven way to get people to like you by asking questions, showing interest, and keeping eye contact with them.

7. Set healthy boundaries

It’s possible that you allowed yourself to be used, mistreated, or treated like a doormat to gain someone’s affections.

In the short term, this can help you avoid conflict, but it can also harm your self-esteem and lead to imbalances in your relationships.

Just be honest about what you like and don’t like, and let people know if they say or do something that bothers or hurts you.

Setting boundaries doesn’t have to be confrontational. Having the courage and self-respect to set boundaries is a sign of maturity.

They can help you build healthy relationships in which you are treated as you would like to be treated.

8. Be more human

Perfectionism can make you appear more approachable, but it can also make others feel insecure and intimidated.

The fact that no one is perfect makes it easier for others to open up to you by letting some of your flaws or quirks show.

You don’t have to exaggerate your weaknesses and flaws to be more human; you just have to be a little more open and honest and not try so hard to hide them. Be honest with yourself when things go wrong and when you don’t know the answer.

Your self-esteem is boosted when you show others a more human side of yourself, and it’s a great way to connect with others.

9. Celebrate your individuality

However, despite your insecurities about being different, these things are what make you unique. Don’t be afraid to embrace your individuality, even if it means embracing your quirks, a strange sense of humor, or unusual interest.

When you celebrate the things that make you unique, you don’t have to try to hide your differences from other people.

This will help you be more authentic, improve your self-esteem, and help you connect with others in ways that feel more meaningful.

10. Make others feel good about themselves

Despite what you say, most people are more likely to remember how you made them feel than what you said. Pay attention to how others respond to you when you interact with them.

Observe their facial expressions and body language to see if you’ve offended or brought up a sensitive topic.

If you can improve your ability to read social cues, you can have more enjoyable interactions with others, increasing the likelihood that they will want to interact with you again.

6 Signs That You’re Trying Too Hard

Everyone aspires to have their friends like them. It’s nothing to be concerned about. But the desire to be respected can sometimes go too far. There are numerous reasons for having an excessive need to be liked.

Your social anxiety may be to blame for your fear of being judged negatively by other people. For the sake of alleviating your stress, you go a little overboard in your efforts to be liked.

You possibly grew up with a tendency to put others’ needs before your own. Or, perhaps you’re self-conscious and a boost in self-confidence comes from being liked.

Below are signs that you could be a person who tries too hard:

1. You are always agreeable.

Whether it’s because you can’t say no to an invitation or because your willingness to lead another committee means you can’t spend time with your family, there are always consequences.

If you say yes to one thing, you must say no to another.

Develop a new script if saying yes to everything has become a habit. “I’ll think about it and get back to you,” is a common response. After that, give yourself plenty of time to mull over your response.

2. You always need validation.

Low self-esteem is often the root cause of a person’s constant need for praise and external validation.

The reward of being recognized for a job well done is undeniably satisfying. A person who is trying too hard often sees the effects of their efforts in other areas of their life.

The need to constantly be praised and validated by others may be an indication of deeper problems that need to be addressed. This isn’t uncommon in the lives of those who have experienced domestic violence as children.

It’s a good idea to seek help from a licensed mental health professional if you’re struggling with an excessive need for approval.

3. You’re not being true to your values.

When you’re trying to please everyone else, it’s impossible to live your life according to your values. The choices you’re presented with will often be at odds with the values you hold dear.

Other people may not be pleased with your decisions if you choose to act under your values.

Analyze your daily routine to see if you’re giving your most important priorities the attention they deserve. If you haven’t already, create a list of values-based goals to help you get started.

4. You treat everything as a competition.

The game of one-upmanship becomes stale very quickly. It doesn’t matter how well you do your job; the competitor must explain how they did it better than you did.

It’s exhausting, so most people won’t bother trying to keep up. Instead, they will distance themselves so that they don’t have to deal with the constant competition. It’s a behavior that sends the message that you’re afraid and should be avoided.

In the meantime, learn to keep quiet about your achievements and instead focus on praising those of others. Take pleasure in whatever they choose to share with you, whether it’s a laugh or a sense of accomplishment.

5. You are envious of other people.

To overcome envy, you must first be able to accept your imperfections. There are times when we obsess over what others are doing, what they have, and what we desire.

No amount of rage and envy toward those who have it easier or better than you will improve your lot in life.

There is no point in doing this because you’ll be wasting your limited emotional resources. If you have the time and energy to be jealous of others, you also have the resources to better your situation.

Spend less time comparing yourself to others and their material possessions. Make an effort to be more appreciative of the things you do have while also looking for ways to better your lot in life.

6. You won’t ask for help, even if you need it.

When it comes to asking for help, people-pleasers tend to be the last in line. Nevertheless, if you’re afraid to ask for help, you’ll miss out on a lot of valuable opportunities.

A healthy work and personal relationship depend on delegating tasks, working together, and supporting one another’s efforts.

Be sure to ask for help at least once a day. Even if you ask anyone for assistance, making small requests can help you see that others are usually eager to assist. Indeed, studies show that requesting a favor from someone increases their admiration for you.