I was an overachiever in every sense of the word. For as long as I can remember, I gauged my worth on how much I was able to accomplish in certain areas of my life.
Never stopping to smell the roses that were planted and grown from all the effort I had put in, I was being called to stop! Get off the tracks - look up and see all that I had accomplished while keeping my head down and pursuing. Take it all in. Breathe slowly. Be more intentional. I have the life in which I have prayed and worked so diligently for.
I realized that I needed to take stock of who I had become through it all. Peering into the rear view to simply see how far I had come. Being proud of myself. Patting myself on the back. It isn’t selfish, even though that internal voice would have me to think otherwise. Rest for a bit! Let things come to me because knowing a life lived in Christ assures me that nothing he intends for me to have will pass me by.
This acknowledgment for myself and potentially others is not meant to be a put down or to say you shouldn’t want more for your life. I’m merely trying to adjust my focus to enjoy life a little more. Continue to strive and achieve in those areas that bring you the most joy and satisfaction!
An article written by Dina Smith, on the same topic for the Harvard Business Review, states that a prolonged drive to achieve can leave you exhausted - resulting in self neglect and burnout. It goes on further to say that you should weigh out the cost of achieving that next thing. Are you willing to accept the associated costs, risk, etc? Redefine success - are you living out someone else’s definition or your own?
Living in era where “more” is highly attainable, in most cases, for those who seek it - ask yourself self why or maybe what for? How does this add to the life I want to build for myself, my family. Is this a fear response that a slower pace will cause you to be left behind? After doing some self discovery, proceed with those things that are in alignment with where you’re headed.
In this moment in my life that means writing and taking things slower. My corporate career, while still a very real and important part of my life, is not the only thing! No longer is it a sprint to the top for me - promotions will come. In fact, in the past 12 months I have turned down opportunities to progress my career because they didn’t align with what was best for my life. I am currently in a role that allows me to work from home full time - which gives me the ability to prioritize being a Mom while sustaining my career.
For now, I’m welcoming the ease and pace of my life where I’m not constantly seeking the next destination. I’m learning to love the in between a lot more.
Smith,Dina.(2021,December 03). How to Dial Back When You're a Chronic Overachiever [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2021/12/how-to-dial-it-back-when-youre-a-chronic-overachiever
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