The moment I realized I was an overachiever was at graduation, when I felt a huge weight on my shoulders. Literally. All the sashes and cords symbolizing what I had accomplished and what I was a part of in college legitimately weighed about seven pounds! As I gazed down at all of my achievements, I wondered if maybe I did a little too much.
Being an overachiever isn't a bad thing; nevertheless, it is undeniably both a blessing and a curse. Here are the signs that you might be an overachiever:
1. "No" does not exist in your vocabulary.
The hard part about being an overachiever is that you constantly get asked to take on more jobs and tasks, and you always feel compelled to say yes, even if it has no interest to you at all.
2. Resume booster? Yes. You want to be a part of literally everything.
You constantly think about the future and what can give you a leg up in the long term. Adding more honor societies and jobs may increase the notches on your belt, and you're completely okay with that.
3. DTM is the acronym that explains your life.
Doing too much. Self-explanatory. You know the drill.
4. Your planner is color coded for all the different things you're involved in.
Different colored pens and highlighters are your best friend. They help you stay organized and maintain your sanity when you look at your schedule!
5. You love making lists, because you love achieving goals.
Yes, you have five lists of Things to Do sitting on your desk (including sending President Obama your grievances about rising tuition), but you know crossing each item off is a relief and an accomplishment in itself.
6. Free time? What's that?
You're busy, but you love it. I remember my daily schedule regularly including at least one meeting for a club I was involved in, sometimes two or three depending on the day. Then there was work, staff meetings, a philanthropy event, classes, perhaps an extra credit event, practice, and of course homework and other extra-curricular assignments... Ever forget to eat?
7. When friends ask you how you find time to sleep.
Time-management is HUGE for overachievers. If you're going to be a part of everything, you have to prioritize your time to have the ability to be a part of everything. No shame, sleep was definitely high on the priority list.
8. You just received an award, and you're already planning how to get the next one.
You already hold an executive position in five clubs, have three jobs, sport letters to your favorite honor society, and you're set to be on the Dean's List. Competition is your jam, you're always hungry for more!
9. Being the best at just about everything is on your bucket list.
You already have medals, trophies, and certificates plaguing every room in your house, yet you still have that inkling that you can be the best at yet another thing.
10. You don't try to procrastinate; you're just that busy.
Maybe your homework fell to the last spot on your priority list, and you don't finish that 10-page essay until minutes before it's due, but at least you go to bed knowing you got everything done.
Staying busy and being a part of every single extra-curricular activity your school offers is important to you. Being an overachiever is a job in itself, but you love it all the same.
