How to harness your inner overachiever

There are three types of people in this world: those who lay back, those who achieve, and those who overachieve. If you find yourself part of the first variety, you might be completely content with your laziness, or you might be wondering what is separating you from the kinds of people that achieve their dreams and more.

The problem comes when you believe work ethic to be an unchangeable given, that you are forever destined to be on the local train instead of the express. But a few changes of mind can help shine a new light on your productivity.

The enemy of productivity is distraction. And in our age of stimuli-overdrive, distraction is an easy rabbit hole into which to plunge. But you're one Tasty video away from complete detachment. Distraction is a double-edged sword. In one sense, it gives us a mental break from whatever task we're doing, and in another sense, makes it even harder to refocus. But as humans, we sabotage ourselves by even allowing ourselves the option of getting distracted.

When you add up the 30-second bursts you spend speed-scrolling in a moment of creative distress, it can amount to hours in your day. That's why, when you have a task to do, it will take you less time to do it in one shot then to break it up into a million little pieces. Turn your Internet off. Install parental controls on yourself. Set a timer, and give yourself a reward for getting through your assignment within the parameters. Eliminating distraction requires discipline.

Discipline is the next aspect that underachievers lack. But this time, you won't be motivated by good or bad grades. You will, however, be motivated by a paycheck and an overall feeling of value. Discipline is the ability to rein in your desire to do something else, and to find pleasure in the challenge of staying on task. When we're alone, however, this can be difficult to keep accounts on. That's why it's often useful to tell others about your goals, to add another level of accountability. Pressure is always a good thing.

The last aspect that separates the underachievers from the overachievers is their cognizance of what others are doing. While it's an inherent human quality to compare oneself to others, it's unproductive and can cloud your individual goals. Just because everyone else is starting a business doesn't mean that you have to, or that that's even the right path for you. If you dwell too much on what others are doing (via social media, or what have you), then it's often more of a distraction and depressant than it is a motivator.

The road to becoming an achiever or overachiever is a long one, but one that can be accomplished with a lot of effort, motivation, and drive. So put those blinders on and go!

PayPath
Follow Us on

Southwest Companion Pass

There’s all this talk about solo travel. And for good reason — no wasting precious time waiting for others to get their act together, take the plans out of the group chat and actually buy the tickets. Going solo, you can be spontaneous. You can plan your trips according to your precise tastes. You can hop on any flight and fly awayyyyyy.

Keep readingShow less

Oh, how far we’ve come!

Women’s History Month is here. What a pertinent reminder of how far women have come in society — but this far is far from far enough. From the pay gap to daily microaggressions, it’s still obvious that women are treated as lesser-than in society. This is especially clear when you look at how few female-founded businesses there are.

Keep readingShow less

Why You Need Cometeer Coffee: Coffee You Can Take on the Go

Cometeer Coffee

There’s an internet trend that says that everyone has three drinks: one for energy, one for hydration, and one for fun.

Hydration drinks are usually seltzer, a sports drink, or good old-fashioned water. Fun drinks can be anything from boba to kombucha to a refreshing fountain sprite. But the drink you choose for energy says the most about you. Are you a chill tea drinker? An alternative yerba mate devotee? A matcha-obsessed TikTok That Girl wannabe? A chaotic Red Bull chugger? Or are you a lover of the classics, a person after my own heart, who just loves a good cuppa joe?

Keep readingShow less