…they will ultimately despise you. First of all, your happiness in none of my business. I can do the next right thing, treat you with respect, have your best interest in mind in most of my actions, but I certainly cannot “make “someone happy. That is on you. I know people who are content and blissful waiting for a chemo treatment @ Stanford oncology, and I know people who could snatch misery out of the birth of a child, but I digress.
Have you ever seen the couple where one partner does everything in their power to “make” the other happy? You want a new car? Lets make sure it has all leather interior. We can afford a van, but wouldn’t a new Tahoe just be all the better? Cabo is pretty affordable, but isn’t the diving soooooo much better in Turks and Caicos. Let me do the shopping dear. Oh don’t worry, I’ll get the dishes – never mind that I cooked dinner too… First of all, I don’t think many people are that obsequious unless they are feeling guilty about something. Secondly, I don’t think it is ever appreciated. The recipient of this abundance of attention is probably at least at a sub-conscious level thinking: what a fool! How can you have any respect for someone who consistently acts like they worship you when deep down inside you know there is really nothing to worship?!?
The same is true in business. If you give everything away, you are perceived to have no value. People expect to pay for something that is worth something to them. If you jump through hoops every time a customer breathes in your general direction, they end up not only running you ragged but they lose all respect for you. Great customer service and an honest value for the dollar are the backbone of good business, but for goodness sake don’t get stupid. They will only hate you for it!