Overachievers can accomplish great things but always need to do more. As they constantly raise the bar, the cost for reaching their goals eventually outweigh the rewards. Although overachievers tend to do well early on in their careers, at some point they start questioning the value of their constant hustle. In addition, research shows that achievement-orientation significantly increases the risk of burnout*.
Learning how to achieve sustainably is not only critical to our performance and well-being but affects the people we work with as well.
In a series of posts, I will discuss six achievement archetypes or patterns, identified through years of coaching high achievers and from my own ‘achievement detox’.
Which archetype (if any) do you most identify with?
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- THE COMPARISON JUNKIE. Lives by the motto: ‘Grass is always greener…’
- THE CONTROLLER. ‘If you want a thing done well, do it yourself’
- THE PERFECTIONST. ‘Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing’
- THE COMPETITOR. ‘Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing’
- THE CONTANT ACHIEVER. ‘I will rest when I’m dead’
- THE WORRYING PROBLEMSOLVER. ‘Spend 55 min worrying about the problem and 5 min thinking about solutions’
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I will share the drivers and fears behind each archetypes and would love to discuss what strategies you use to balancing them out.
I would love to have your input and hear your reflections on this topic!
Importantly, it’s NOT about giving up on being a high achiever, it’s about developing a dimmer to your superpower so that you can achieve sustainably, on your terms.
I use this framework a lot in my Achievement Detox Coaching Program and when coaching business leaders. I find it very useful for identifying underlying fears and drivers and changing negative behaviors.
Happy reading!
*Canadian Journal of Nursing 2019, Vulnerability and Stressors for Burnout