How do I know if I’m an anxious overachiever?
What is an anxious overachiever, and why is it a concern? If you find yourself constantly needing to prove yourself to others or yourself, then you may be an anxious overachiever. Having an achievement orientation can be seen as a strength, but when it becomes overplayed, it can turn into a weakness.
It's not always easy to figure out if this applies to you. It took leaving a competitive work environment for me to realise that I was running on adrenaline every day and my inner voice was much more critical and unhelpful than I initially thought.
Being an achiever can definitely be a great thing. It can help you stay focused on your goals; whether it's finishing a triathlon, achieving a milestone at work, or completing a crochet project. However, if you identify with that feeling of constantly pushing, looking at the next goalpost, or feeling like you can’t afford to stop, you may need to assess the downsides vs benefits of this achiever mentality.
For instance, you may accomplish your goals, but you don't feel the need to celebrate them because you're already focused on setting the next target. You may deliver a high standard of work, but this takes up a significant amount of time and leaves you feeling tired at the end of the day. You may receive positive feedback about your performance, but small errors or slip-ups stay on your mind, making it hard to forgive yourself or move on from them.
If you're struggling with this mindset, it may take practice to rewire your thoughts. Here are a few quick tips to get started:
Take a moment to be very intentional about celebrating a win, no matter how small.
Start to think about the origins of this mindset to always achieve. How did it begin? Where was it encouraged?
Check out resources such as the Anxious Achiever podcast (my personal fave), which offers insights and strategies for fostering wellbeing in the workplace.
Remember, the opposite of achieving is not failing. It’s okay to rest or play. And it’s just as important to listen to your body and prevent burnout along the way.