How to Stop Being Burned by Other People

R3ciprocity.com - Prof David Maslach: Innovation; Research Life; Striving Towards Happiness · May 2, 2026 · 10m

I was raised a very good Catholic boy.

My mom is deeply religious. Caring about other people was everything. Mother Teresa was a role model. Giving. Serving. Looking out for others.

That rubbed off on me.

I pride myself on caring. The problem is, I care too much.

One of the hardest life lessons I keep relearning is this: not everyone cares the way you do.

Most arenas in life are political. People do not cooperate the way we imagine. They are not always working toward the greater good. They are often working toward getting ahead.

And if something becomes successful, many will jump in and take…