The Overachievers Club

Adding to the endless list

I’ve scored as an “Achiever” in just about every personality test you can possibly take (and if there are ones I haven’t taken yet, I expect to score as an achiever in those ones too.) But I’ve come to realize that this is a kind term, and the reality is that I am an overachiever.

Achievers get things done. And they place a heavy value on getting those things done. Items must be checked off the list and there’s little time for celebrating before we’re on to the next thing that requires completion.

It’s possible to be an achiever without being an overachiever, but people in that category almost certainly apply to the recently coined term “toxic productivity.” They are constantly doing, doing, doing, with no pause for measurement or strategic thinking.

That’s not me.

Though I do get a hell of a lot done.

In my case there are nasty threads of strategy and perfectionism in there. I cannot consider the project complete until it is done to the highest level manageable under the current circumstances and in service to whatever the largest goal is.

If you’re thinking this is a terrible treadmill disaster headed straight to burnout, you’re right.

And the worst part of this is: society has rewarded me for it. So, I just keep running!

Teachers, managers, friends all start with the “oohs” and “ahs”. I’m a “top performer” and “highly gifted.” “How do you get all that done in a day?!” people ask.

I’ve set the bar and then I’m always expected to be doing the next, greatest, best thing. I even expect it of myself (and terrible guilt and performance anxiety set in if I’m not hitting the mark).

So, I started a Substack.

I kind of had to.

Or I’d be failing.

Welcome to the Overachievers Club.