The achiever’s curse is running rampant. It seems to be targeting men, women, and now children between ages 5 and 60. 

How do you know if you’ve caught it?  

You have the achiever’s curse if you feel like you’re constantly behind. 

Don’t know what I’m talking about?

Count your blessings and s-l-o-wly back away. Here’s a post you might find more interesting: Top cat knitting sweater patterns.  

For those of you that have this affliction, stay with me. You aren’t contagious … at least, I hope not. Fortunately, there is a cure, but you aren’t going to like it. Might want to have a chaser handy. 

The Race Is On

“I want to reach this goal. I want to get that promotion. I want to be a manager by 25. Or the #1 rep in the company in 3 years. Or make $100K by 30. Climb faster. Work harder. More responsibility.”

Maybe that doesn’t sound exactly like you…or does it?

Just the other day, I congratulated a friend on a promotion. “Thanks. I really feel like I put in the time and earned it,” he said. “I was in my last role over 6 months.” 

Have you ever reached a career goal or milestone, maybe something you’ve worked years to achieve, and had a new goal set by the end of the week? 

The Worst Advice I Ever Got

“That’s how I know you’ll be successful,” the CEO told me.  

One hot summer morning I met the CEO of a local mid-sized company for coffee. Through the power of networking, I was fortunate enough to get an introduction.

The question I asked him was, “I feel like I’m always behind. Whenever I hit one career milestone, I don’t even appreciate it. I’m already focused on the goal. Did you ever feel that way when you were advancing in your career?”

“All the time,” he said. “That’s how I know you’ll be successful.”

Know what I thought of his response? I loved it.

But now I realize when you’re constantly pushing to achieve the next thing before the dust even settles, you’re not gaining ground. You’re wasting it. 

Here’s the chaser part…

The Cure To The Curse

The cure to the achiever’s curse is perspective.

NYU professor Scott Galloway found that when the elderly were asked the question…“What advice would you give to your younger self? Research showed most people said, “It’s all going to be Ok.” 

You might want to accomplish it all. But you don’t have to accomplish it all right now. 

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”

– Bill Gates

The Best Advice I Never Got

The CEO should have said, “DUDE you have the next 40 years to achieve. You’re 25. Keep your ambition, but also keep your perspective. Why are you in such a rush anyway?” 

That’s a question I would have needed a chaser to help me answer. 

How about you? Are you in a rush to feverishly achieve your next milestone? Why?