As a people-pleaser, it is my natural inclination to want to help others “fix” their problems. Anything from seeing a solution to a dilemma, feeling the weight of someone who is angry, to playing referee in keeping everyone happy. The pleaser in me either feels morally responsible fix-it all, or I perceive everyone believes it is my responsibility. And that can be overwhelming.
Years ago I attended a workshop with Gary and Joy Lundberg and enjoyed it so much I bought the book by the same name: I Don’t Have to Make Everything All Better. In this four-day course, I learned about an eye-opening concept: I do not have the power to solve other people’s problems. I know, not a big surprise, but the perceived responsibility is an easy trap to fall into.
As a parent, it is easy to feel responsible for your children’s mistakes. Our children want to live up to our expectations. And, as a friend, we want to offer assistance and support. The reality is we only have responsibility and power to fix our own problems. In all other aspects of life, we are only a supporting role.
The Lundbergs are proponents of validation. “It is not a cure-all. It is a way to let people close to you carry their own responsibilities while helping them feel loved by you to a far greater degree.”1 They teach six basic principles that can help “a fixer” leave the fixing to the one who is truly responsible. I would strongly recommend reading their book for the specifics, but here are the basics.
Be an Effective Validator
The Lundbergs define validation as “the act, process, or instance of confirming or corroborating the meaningfulness and relevance of what another person (or self) is feeling…it is being able to empathetically listen and understand another person’s point of view without having to change it.”2 An effective validator listens to help the other person feel they are of worth, that their feelings matter and that you care about them.
Leave the Responsibility Where It Belongs
The underlying principle here has to do with the difference between power and desire. We confuse our desire to make everything all better with the power or lack of power to fix it all. We can always ask if we can help. There are numerous ways in which we can offer to give assistance, but the words “ought” or “should” suggest obligation and expectation rather than choice. The choice should remain with the one in need. Allowing others to choose what they would like help with leaves the responsibility where it belongs. Always remember to stick to your personal boundaries, and do only what you feel comfortable doing. Don’t be afraid to decline with “I’m not in a position to do that right now, is there something else?” Be kind, gentle, respectful, and firm.
We confuse our desire to make everything all better with the power or lack of power to fix it all.
Lundberg
Acknowledge Emotions
Emotions are something that we all feel. It is common to take our own assumptions and apply them to what we think someone else should be feeling. Learning to allow others to recognize and acknowledge what they are feeling can help their overall well-being. “There is increasing scientific evidence that unresolved negative emotions depress our immune systems and cause us to be more vulnerable to many diseases and physical ailments.”3 Failing to let other people recognize what they are feeling complicates their lives — mentally and physically.
Develop the Art of Listening
Effective listening requires practice. It’s easy to have our thoughts wander back into “fix it” land instead of listening to understand. Stephen Covey sums it up beautifully:
“To relate effectively with a wife, a husband, children, friends, or working associates, we must learn to listen. And this requires emotional strength. Listening involves patience, openness, and the desire to understand – highly developed qualities of character. It’s so much easier to operate from a low emotional level and to give high-level advice.”4
Covey
The purpose of listening is not to come up with a solution. It is to hear the feelings and needs that are being expressed and putting ourselves into the situation to understand.
Find the Right Time to Teach
The word teach makes me think this might only apply to our children. Actually, we can teach anyone we care about to learn how to find alternatives and possibilities for the best solution to their needs. A while ago my youngest daughter reached out to me with a need. She had left an assignment at home. My people, pleasing instinct wanted to swoop in and rescue her from figuring out how to solve the problem on her own. It was not easy, but in the end, we were both happy with the resolution.
I validated her feelings, and when she asked for help I didn’t step in to solve the problem for her. I asked her questions to let her know I still cared, and then complimented her on her ability to problem solve.
“Validation empowers others to more effectively solve their own problems.”
Lundberg
Why You Shouldn’t Fix-it All
Giving advice is the easy, common and unhealthy way of controlling people. It’s like telling them: “I don’t think you’re smart enough to figure this out, so let me just share my wisdom with you.” When I’m frustrated I just want someone to confirm it’s okay to be frustrated and then the reassurance I’m strong and smart enough to find and implement my own solution.
When we make the assumption that we have more power and influence than we actually have, or that our family or friend is helpless to handle difficult situations on their own, we take the responsibility away from them and open ourselves up to be overwhelmed. I’m not at all advocating that we don’t look for ways to serve those around us, but there is a difference between serving and taking over. The latter doesn’t teach any of us how to choose wisdom.
What’s your biggest struggle when it comes to controlling and fixing everything around you?
6 thoughts on “The Guilt-Ridden Need to Fix-it All”
I think the hardest part for me is to validate and leave it alone. One thing that happens when we try to control or try take on another’s issue is that when it backfires all parties end up being upset with you. We were only trying to help in the beginning and by doing so created new and possibly damaging results over good intentions. When people feel validated they feel empowered and what a great feeling that is. My life is so great when I feel empowered and/or validated.
We all need a little more validation in our lives. Letting go of the guilt behind not being able to fix it all and feeling empowered are at the heart of a health mindset. Thanks, Tracy!
Validation is huge! I love how you help your kids solve their problems and help them validate! Thanks for joining us this week at Confessions of Parenting for #WanderingWednesday
Thanks for the feedback, Michelle!
This is a powerful article that bears reading and rereading, pondering and applying. Thank you, Lori!
Good and wise suggestions about helping others take responsibility for their own actions and problem solve a solution in a caring loving, and Christlike way.