Liking me, liking you

“How are you doing?”Are you likeable?

I find that most folks in the market fall into one of four categories:

#1: They like you, even when it costs them. These folks have your back. They’ll stick with you through tough times. They’re the ones most likely to be taken advantage of, but they consider that an acceptable edge-case in exchange for an abundance of strong relationships.

#2: They don’t like you, no matter the cost. These folks are a bit miserable. They don’t want to be your friend, and they don’t want to help you more than the job description requires. Their soft skills could be a limiting factor in their work’s progress and enjoyment.

#3: They don’t like you, until it costs you. Many people have a bit of this in them. They’re the people who sound like they want to rip off your head on a cold call until they realise you have something they need, at which point they’re sweet as key lime pie.

#4: They like you, until it costs them. These people are your friend until they need to save their own skin, at which point you burn.

Marcus Aurelius says in his third book of Meditation, “Don’t imaging that something is good for you if, in pursuing it, you must break a promise, harm anyone else, lose self-respect, act hypocritically, or hide in shame. Follow the light within—it will not lead you astray.”

In your journey as a creator and a human, consider which of the above four you are being.