Are you dependent on constant performance and achievement to feel good about yourself? Are you overly focused on external validation – the attention and acceptance of others?
This describes many of my high-performance clients and “A+ Anna” before I finally did some personal growth.
Hyper-achievers tend to be workaholics who self-sabotage by having the “you will be happy when…” mindset. You will be happy when you get that job, when you get that promotion, when you find that relationship. This inability to be happy NOW causes a lot of undue stress and anxiety.
According to the science-based principles of Positive Intelligence, there are ten different saboteurs: the judge, the stickler, the pleaser, the victim, the restless, the avoider, the controller, the hyper-achiever, the hyper-vigilant and the hyper-rational.
Our saboteurs overuse and abuse our greatest strengths. Hyper-achievers are driven, adaptable and goal-directed. But this path to success causes a lot of stress as your self-worth and confidence are completely dependent on the praise or criticism of others as you move toward achieving greater and greater things.
“How can I weaken my hyper-achiever saboteur?”, you may ask.
The first step is self-awareness. Notice when the hyper-achiever saboteur shows up in your life. Take the time to celebrate each incredible accomplishment before moving on to the next thing. Find ways to cultivate internal validation where your self-worth is a stable, consistent force within that is not so impacted by the outside world.
What has also worked for me, and for many of my clients, is the 6-Week Positive Intelligence Bootcamp. This life-changing program gives you actionable strategies to increase your self-acceptance and to stop sabotaging your own success and happiness. Imagine how high you could soar without getting in your own way!
Take the Saboteur Assessment to find out if the Hyper-Achiever is your #1 saboteur: https://www.positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs/
