Overachievers: Are They Really Overrated?

Focus more on your desire than on your doubt, and the dream will take care of itself. You may be surprised at how easily this happens. Your doubts are not as powerful as your desires, unless you make them so. — Marcia Wieder

The term “overachiever” generally has a negative connotation.  Some talk of overachievers as workaholics with no personal lives to speak of, while others imagine annoying professionals that are somewhat arrogant and a little too full of their own accomplishments.  However, Webster defines “overachiever” as “one who achieves success over and above the standard or expected level especially at an early age.”  If that’s the case, I’m guessing most of us wouldn’t mind becoming overachievers, again and again and again.  But what does it take?

1. Recognize your passion

Truly successful athletes can practice their sport for hours because they become lost in the game.  Some describe it as finding their groove, getting in the zone, or achieving “flow.”  This is a somewhat magical experience where skills are heightened and physical limitations cease to exist, as does time.  This same thing can be experienced by professionals who truly find their passion; they can achieve “flow” by working optimally while losing track of time because they simply enjoy what they’re doing.  If this is a common occurrence at your practice, then you’re on your way to becoming a true overachiever.

2. Recognize the tedium

It’s common to experience boredom every now and then, regardless of how passionate you may be about your work.  There’s always paperwork to be filed, reports to be run, and tasks on your To-Do list that don’t inspire.  However, that tedium should not consume your day.  If that boredom causes you to dread going to work each day, it may be time to reevaluate your career choice and point yourself in another professional direction.

3. Stay a little longer

In his Entrepreneur.com post entitled “5 Tips to Become a High-Achiever,” Scott Halford  shares this tip in outlasting, outsmarting and overachieving the competition.  He explains that in 1984, when Peter Vidmar led the US men’s Olympic gymnastics team to gold, the one thing Vidmar did differently from everyone else was stay and practice a little longer.  In order to become the premier accountant in your area you must do the equivalent.  Read that extra article, participate in that specialized training, call that one last client.

4. Focus your energy

As a child you may have focused the sun’s energy through a magnifying glass in order to start a small flame.  When you focus your own energy in the same way, you can accomplish great things in your professional life.  Try not to get bogged down by the tedious and unnecessary.  That’s distracting and will limit your potential.  Continually focus your energy on the big picture and where you want your business to go.  You’ll be amazed at how this alone will magnify your practice’s success.

5. Take action

You’ll never accomplish anything if you spend all your time just thinking about it.  Overachievers act again and again.  In fact, after a time it becomes a habit-creating business strategies and then acting on them.

6. Continually improve

The truly successful recognize the need to continually improve their skills which enables them to maintain that competitive advantage.  Seek opportunities to become the expert in your field.  It’s impossible to have too much expertise.

UAC’s Training Can HelpThe Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Program is just the course you need to hone your skills and become specialized in small-business accounting, the most lucrative market for contract accountants.  In less than 60 hours you can learn everything you need to know to start your own accounting practice or improve the one you’re currently running.  The time is right to overachieve.  Take action today and enroll in UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper Program.ResourcesHalford, Scott.  “5 Tips to Become a High-Achiever.” 29 June 2009  Entrepreneur.com