Challenges of the High Achiever
High achievers are goal-oriented whether the goals are on paper or in their heads, they have a list of what they want to accomplish and a general idea of how they will do it. They often seek perfection in what they do and in those around them. Similarly, they have high standards. They are driven and sometimes might feel like there is an engine inside pushing them forward. And they are always looking for a new challenge. I think everyone would agree that being a high achiever is good, but it may also come with challenges.
The engine inside the high achiever may push so hard that you feel like you are on a treadmill. You might be tired, not just physically but also mentally. You have a lot of success but aren’t quite satisfied. Being tired and on the treadmill may cause you to be less creative. If you have employees, they may have low morale as a result of trying to keep up with their high-achiever boss. Does this sound familiar? If so, what can you do about it?
I have three suggestions and today will focus on measuring, recognizing, and celebrating your “GAINS.[1]” In his book, Dan Sullivan describes the way a high achiever always measures her progress against a future goal but when she meets that goal, she moves on or makes the goal bigger which sounds like being on a treadmill, doesn’t it? Sullivan calls this, “Working in the GAP.”1 Let me give you an example. At the start of my business, I had a goal of six clients in six months. I measured my success based on that goal and at the end of six months did not have six clients and was not satisfied. Sometimes it was hard to get motivated when I could not reach my goal. Rather than measuring myself against a future goal, by working in a mindset of measuring GAINS, I would recognize that in those six months, I started my company, built the brand, launched a website, and started a weekly blog. Wow, that is amazing!
By no means am I saying that you should abandon your future goals or stop setting goals, I am just saying that you should recognize your hard work to refill the cup that sometimes feels empty. So, how do I put this into practice? As recommended by Sullivan, five days per week (I take a break on the weekends) I identify three gains and I write them down. Sometimes they are business-related, sometimes personal. This is a reminder that I have positive momentum and that each of these GAINS is leading me to my goal.
If you want to learn more, I recommend you buy the book. And, if you want to strategize goals and GAINS, book a free session through my website.
[1] Sullivan, Dan with Hardy, Benjamin, “The GAP and the GAIN, The High Achievers’ Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success,” Carlsbad, California, Hay House, 2021.