Am I an Overachiever? Let's find out

Many of us proudly wear the badge of overachiever 🙋🏻‍♀️

We’re constantly striving to achieve more, pushing past our physical boundaries, and carving out success with sheer willpower and dedication.

But what's the hidden cost?

In a society that glorifies 'more', have we lost our sense of being "enough"?

It's high time to take a sober look at our ambitions to ensure our drive doesn't continue to affect our wellbeing, mental health and overall performance.

Traits that define overachievers

High ambition, commitment to perfection, and a honed skill in time management are the pillars that uphold the overachiever's identity.

But these strengths can also be Achilles' heels.

Constantly striving for more can lead to burnout, anxiety and a never-ending cycle of self-doubt.

While it's important to have goals and work hard to achieve them, balance is key.

Recognising these traits within yourself is the first step to a deeper understanding of your workplace persona.

1.Perfectionism, that double-edged sword

Perfectionists set the bar impossibly high. Their eye for detail often results in exceptional work, but it can also lead to procrastination, dissatisfaction, and chronic stress.

Perfectionism manifests itself not just in the pursuit of flawless work but also in a rigid self-discipline that can border on self-punishment.

Overachievers, in their quest for perfection, frequently find themselves caught in a loop of overanalysing, where every decision is scrutinised to an exhausting degree. This incessant need to control every aspect of their work, and often their personal lives, can often stem from a fear of failure or criticism or a fear of being judged as less than exceptional.

Unfortunately, this often leads to a paradoxical situation where the fear of not meeting their own high standards can actually inhibit productivity and creativity. It can also lead to procrastination, as the pressure to produce perfect work can be overwhelming.

The key to changing that relationship with perfectionism?

Understanding that 'good enough' is, very often, enough. There's no need to make things perfect all the time.

2.The pursuit of ambition at any (and all) costs

There's a fine line between having a high ambition and allowing it to become all-consuming.

Overachievers sometimes equate work success with self-worth, leading to a never-ending treadmill of task lists and goalposts. Success at work becomes part of our identity - and the slightest dent in our performance at work risks shaking up our very identity.

For individuals caught in this cycle, it can feel as though you're on a hamster wheel, constantly running but never really getting anywhere.

The illusion of productivity starts to equate more hours worked with more achievement, and therefore more success.

In reality, being on this hamster wheel leads to burnout, decreased quality of work, sometimes a disconnection to our very own sense of identity.

The key to changing our relationship with ambition?

Recognising that our worth as individuals is not solely based on our work success. It's important to set boundaries and prioritise self-care, so that ambition becomes a positive driving force rather than an all-consuming compulsion. Embracing the idea of 'good enough' can also help us break free from the never-ending quest for perfection and allow us to find more balance in our lives. After all, success at work is just one aspect of a fulfilling and meaningful life.

3.Being in denial when it comes our capacity as mere mortals

Overachievers think of themselves as superhumans, with unlimited capacity to take on more work, juggle ridiculous deadlines, and handle more emotional stress than the average person.

But the reality is, we are all limited by our physical and mental capacities. Denying this fact only sets us up for failure and burnout.

Instead of trying to push ourselves beyond our limits, we should learn to acknowledge, embrace and respect them. This means learning to say no when necessary, setting realistic goals and deadlines, and prioritising our well-being.

The key to changing our relationship with work?

Remembering that it's not a sign of weakness to acknowledge our limitations – in fact, it takes strength and self-awareness to do so.

And by doing so, we can avoid falling into the trap of toxic ambition and find a healthier balance in our lives.

Are you an overachiever?

Are you the overachiever in the room?

Let's find out if your habits and mindsets put you in that category.

Be honest when answering these questions, there's no right or wrong answer - and I won't know what you said unless you drop me a line.

• Does unfinished work haunt you during evenings/weekends?

• Do others regularly tell you that your standards are overly high?

• Can you comfortably delegate tasks without micromanaging?

• Do you constantly feel like you're not doing enough?

• Are your holidays filled with work or thoughts of it?

I could keep going. I might even make a full on quiz to help you answer that question!

But for now, this should give you an indication of how much of an overachiever you are - and hopefully give you enough pointers for aspects where you might want to make some changes.

3 tips for managing overachieving tendencies

Having identified the overachiever within, it's now time to recalibrate.

I'm not here to tell you to kill your ambition - instead, I want you to channel it more effectively, so you keep on hitting those goals you've given yourself, but in a way that feels more sustainable and enjoyable.

1.Shift your priorities

Start setting personal success metrics that go beyond work.

Think of time with family, physical fitness, down time, and mental wellbeing as just as deserving of your attention.

Tip:

If you could spend 1h differently next week, what would you do?

I spend an extra hour, or two, in bed on Friday to read. Otherwise, I'd never make time for fiction...

2. Overachieve on a schedule

Overachievement doesn't have to be a 24/7 thing.

Learn to 'switch off' with activities that allow for a state of flow without feeding into your career objectives. You can still be achieving something in those flow states, it just doesn't have to be work related.

Tip:

If you could pick a class to try out next week, what would you pick?

I'm learning to play the piano again, it's hard, it's definitely an achievement, but it it's work!

3.Delegate so you don't drown

You don't have to do it all alone. Because if you do, you're likely want everything to be just perfect, and nothing will be completed to your standards for a looooooooong time.

Instead, delegate work you don't enjoy doing. Doesn't have to be big, could be something personal or work related. Allow someone else to help you, they might enjoy it too.

Tip:

What's one thing you could clear off your to do list by giving to someone else?

I hate social media, so I hired a VA to help me create content for it. I still get to do the thinking, they get to help me with the design, posting and engagement side of things. Win win.

In short, try and find more balance

As an overachiever, you're likely to struggle with balance.

Finding balance as an overachiever isn't just about managing your workload; it's about redefining success to include personal fulfilment and wellbeing. It's a journey that involves self-reflection, setting boundaries, and sometimes, letting go of the urge to control every outcome.

The path of the overachiever is well-trodden, but it's not the only one. Crafting a narrative of success that is robust, fulfilling, and above all, sustainable, is an art and a commitment. It requires us to re-evaluate our definitions of success, to rekindle our passion, and to do so with our well-being at the forefront.

Remember, life is not a sprint, but a marathon – and it's the marathoners who pace themselves and tend well to their bodies that triumph. It's not just about crossing the finish line, but about the stories we gather along the way and the legacy we leave behind.

You might also like