My parents raised me to obedient, subservient, fearful of authority, and dependent on external approval. Essentially, they raised me to be someone who would almost certainly be taken advantage of in the workforce (and I have been). One habit they really ingrained in me was the habit of finishing one task and immediately asking, “What next?” As in, what more can I do for you? I finished raking all the leaves, what next? Ok, the kitchen is clean, what next? Anything else?
It wasn't enough to just do what they asked and then go do my own thing. I had to ask them what else I could do, otherwise I was just being lazy. I remember getting yelled at for hanging out in my room after finishing a chore, because I should have *known* that there was more to do, and I should have *asked* to do it. “Always ask! Don't be lazy!” Two decades later, I would still have serious unease when, in a work environment, I had nothing to do. What next, what next?
I used to pride myself on always keeping busy at work, always being helpful, always looking for things to get done. It would annoy me when other people didn't behave the same way. But it didn't help me, at all. I was still denied raises. I was still jerked around with regards to my schedule (because they knew I would always come in). I was still abused by management (I wish I had known my rights then, or I would have retaliated). Basically, I was seen as a passive target for abuse because I kept going no matter what (being very mildly autistic didn't help either, as it just took longer for me to recognize abuse/derision/bullying).
And now? … I am so unbelievable cynical and angry that I am essentially unemployable. I *have to* work for myself. It's not 100% due to my upbringing, but man do I wish that at least one adult in my life would have sat me down and said to me that being a people pleasing workhorse was NOT going to help me in the long run. Instead, I kept thinking that it was my own fault, I just wasn't doing the right thing for my employers/coworkers.
I was trained to be obedient and eager to please. Nobody warned me. Don't do this to your kids.