Saboteur #1: the hyper-achiever

There are 10 Saboteurs. They are the inner voices that generate negative emotions as we experience life’s everyday challenges. When unchecked, they can result in stress, anxiety, self-doubt, frustration, restlessness, and unhappiness.[i]

The first step to conquering Saboteurs is to identify them and expose their lies.

The Achiever is a noble quality. It implies a driven, goal-oriented strength, capable of growing self and others to achieve full potential. We become Hyper-Achievers after years of schooling based solely on getting good grades in a highly competitive environment. This is conditional success based on constant performance and high achievement. Does this sound familiar?

We leave school, start to work in the profession, and have a hard time turning off this Saboteur. The Hyper-Achiever promises us the misguided belief that hard work and excellence will bring success in our role as well as recognition and praise from our peers, co-workers, and clients. When trials and busy clinic life mount up, the hyper-achiever finds it harder to find the success in their work. Imposter Syndrome can show up as one becomes self-critical and experiences feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem. And as stress increases, burnout and psychological distress can occur. There is hope!

1. Set realistic goals: Set realistic professional goals. Aim high, but realize it takes time, repetition, and set-backs on the road to proficiency. Go easy on yourself.

2. Self-care: Create boundaries between work-life and home-life. Make time for activities outside of work that bring relaxation; such as exercise, yoga, hobbies, or time with loved ones. It’s ok to say No when you are in need of a recharge.

3. Delegate tasks: Learn to delegate tasks to other team members, such as RVT’s. It is not up to you to do it all. Focus on your strengths as a doctor and empower others to excel around you.

4. Seek support: If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk to colleagues, a coach, or a therapist. Having someone to talk to can help you process your emotions and get perspective on your situation.

5. Self-talk: saying - ‘did I do my best’ whenever faced with a challenging case you are managing will help you remember that you are human and that mistakes can happen. Asking ‘did I do my best’ will remind you to practice self-compassion instead of self-doubt whenever confronted with an undesired outcome. Now, convert these ‘mistakes’ into opportunities for new learning and growth.

6. Celebrate: Take time to celebrate ALL accomplishments and successes, both big and small. Celebrating achievements can help to reinforce positive behaviors and build confidence. We all need that!

Remember, being an Achiever is a positive trait, but it's important to achieve balance and avoid burnout. By setting achievable goals, prioritizing self-care, delegating tasks, seeking support when needed, and celebrating our accomplishments, we can continue to excel in our work, practice self-compassion, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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[i] Chamine, Shirzad. Positive intelligence: Why only 20% of teams and individuals achieve their true potential and how you can achieve yours. Greenleaf Book Group, 2012.