About
Elaine Blidgeon – From People-Pleasing
to Power Moves: How I Recalibrated My Career
Why Do You Work Harder Than Everyone Else—But Get Less in Return?
From People-Pleasing to Power Moves: How I Recalibrated My Career
I used to believe that working hard and being nice was enough.
That if I just kept proving myself, people would notice.
That if I was helpful, dependable, and a team player, I’d be rewarded.
I was wrong.
Instead of being appreciated, I was overworked, undervalued, and exhausted.
Instead of feeling respected, I felt invisible.
Instead of advancing, I was stuck—watching others, who did less, move up.
Then, one day, it hit me.
The workplace isn’t designed to reward kindness—it’s designed to reward strategy.
And as a chronic people-pleaser, I had no strategy.
The Breaking Point: When I Realised Hard Work Wasn’t Enough
So I said yes to extra projects.
- I covered for incompetent co-workers.
- I kept the peace with difficult managers.
And where did it get me?
Burnt out, bitter, and stuck in the same place while others, who played the game, moved up.
Then came my breaking point.
- I was in a toxic work environment where I gave everything—and got nothing in return.
- I was mentally and emotionally drained, but I couldn’t stop.
- Every time I thought about pushing back, guilt kept me stuck.
That’s when I realised: If I didn’t change, nothing else would.
- I had to stop waiting for others to recognize my worth.
- I had to stop being the one who always accommodated.
- I had to stop seeing boundaries as a bad thing—and start seeing them as a power move.
But there was one problem…
I didn’t know HOW.
The Turning Point: Creating The Recalibration Code
I tried everything.
Assertiveness training. (It taught me to say no—but didn’t stop the guilt that followed.)
Mindset work. (It helped me recognize the problem—but didn’t show me how to fix it.)
Career advice. (It told me to “just be more confident”—but that’s not how people-pleasing works.)
Hypnosis. (It relaxed me in the moment—but as soon as I got back into work, the tension and guilt came rushing back.)
Reading self-help books. (They helped me identify the real problem, but most relied on affirmations and positive thinking—neither of which changed my real-world reactions.)
Psycho-drama & inner child work. (It helped me understand where my triggers came from—but didn’t stop them from affecting me in the moment.)
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). (It made me more aware of my negative thought patterns, but it didn’t stop my automatic responses in high-pressure situations.)
Journaling. (It helped me get my thoughts onto paper—but didn’t show me how to change my responses when it actually mattered.)
No matter what I tried, nothing truly stuck.
Because the real problem wasn’t just my mindset—it was my automatic responses.
It was happening before I even had a chance to think.
I wasn’t consciously choosing to over-give.
I wasn’t intentionally letting people walk all over me.
That’s When I Developed The Recalibration Code.
This wasn’t about forcing myself to be confident.
It wasn’t about “thinking positively.”
It was about rewiring the beliefs and automatic responses that kept me stuck in people-pleasing.
Instead of trying to act differently, I rewired the thoughts and emotions that made me feel guilty for setting boundaries.
Instead of forcing myself to be assertive, I changed the unconscious beliefs that made over-giving feel like my only option.
And once I did that, everything changed.
- I started setting boundaries without second-guessing myself.
- I stopped overcommitting without guilt.
- I gained more respect, more opportunities, and more control over my career.
Why I Teach This Now
I spent years stuck in people-pleasing, hoping the workplace would be fair.
I learned the hard way that waiting to be noticed gets you nowhere.
- The workplace isn’t a *meritocracy. ( see below)
- Toxic managers aren’t going to change.
- Office politics aren’t going anywhere.
But that doesn’t mean you have to keep struggling.
The Recalibration Code helps you take control—without changing who you are.
- You don’t have to become aggressive to be respected.
- You don’t have to play office politics to get ahead.
- You just have to stop letting guilt run the show.
And that’s exactly what I help my clients do.
Ready to Recalibrate? Here’s How to Get Started.
If my story resonates, you’re probably at a crossroads.
- You see the pattern.
- You know something needs to change.
- You’re just not sure how to break free from it.
That’s what The Recalibration Code is for.
Book a Free Recalibration Consult Today—because the workplace isn’t changing anytime soon. But you can.
Before You Go – 5 Things You Should Know
A *meritocracy is the belief that success is based purely on hard work, talent, and effort—but in reality, that’s not how most workplaces operate.
1️⃣ The Fairness Myth
You were told that if you worked hard, did your job well, and played by the rules, you’d be rewarded. But workplaces don’t operate like a school grading system—effort doesn’t always equal recognition.
2️⃣ The Workplace Game
Success at work isn’t just about how good you are—it’s about how well you navigate power, relationships, and influence. Those who understand this rise faster, while those who rely solely on hard work often get left behind.
3️⃣ The Harsh Truth of Promotions
You’ve seen it happen—someone less skilled, but more politically savvy, moves up while you’re stuck doing the heavy lifting. That’s because the workplace doesn’t reward effort alone; it rewards those who know how to position themselves strategically.
4️⃣ The Corporate Illusion
Many believe that workplaces are fair—that if you keep your head down and do great work, you’ll be recognized. But in reality, those who speak up, advocate for themselves, and set boundaries get ahead faster than those who simply over-deliver.
5️⃣ Why Playing Nice Isn’t Enough
The corporate world isn’t built to reward kindness and dedication—it’s built to reward those who understand influence, visibility, and negotiation. If you don’t learn these skills, you’ll keep watching others move ahead while you do all the work.