The podcast discusses the harmful effects of overachieving for women's physical and mental health, offering strategies to break the cycle. It explores the motivations behind overachievement, the importance of embracing discomfort for personal growth, and the negative consequences on relationships. The episode advocates for setting boundaries and shifting perspectives for a more balanced approach to achievement.
Overachieving stems from anxiety and seeks safety through high performance, impacting mental health negatively.
Strategies to stop overachieving include setting boundaries, understanding real threats, and addressing control issues for mental well-being.
Deep dives
Understanding Overachieving and Its Consequences
Overachieving is identified as a common behavior driven by anxiety and stress, leading individuals to seek safety through high performance. This pattern, highlighted by a neuropsychologist, is one of the 'overs' such as overworking, overachieving, and overthinking, aimed at alleviating fear. However, overachieving is shown to be counterproductive, similar to the myth of multitasking, as it undermines mental and physical well-being. Despite acknowledging the negative impact, individuals often continue overachieving to feel safe and relevant, reflecting deeper psychological needs and a control-seeking mechanism.
Strategies to Combat Overachieving Behavior
To address overachieving tendencies, three strategies are proposed. Firstly, creating new boundaries and tolerating discomfort to break the pattern of constant achievement. Secondly, distinguishing between real danger and discomfort from others' reactions when changing the behavior. Lastly, considering one's own role in overcompensating for perceived threats, aiming to control outcomes, which ultimately harms mental health and relationships.
Challenging Traditional Views on Overachieving
This episode challenges the conventional narrative that encourages overachieving, especially among women, as a means of safety and success. The discussion delves into childhood influences and societal expectations that shape individuals into overachievers, often leading to a point of dissatisfaction and uncertainty. By promoting new perspectives and strategies to combat overachieving patterns, the episode advocates for self-awareness and breaking free from counterproductive behaviors to improve overall well-being and relationships.
Overachieving is defined as the unrelenting drive for high performance, and women are drowning in this phenomenon. Suzanne reads from an article in the Wall Street Journal that explains how overachieving is a form of self-protection that is harmful to our physical and mental health and outlines three strategies to help women stop overachieving.
LINK:
https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/for-happiness-in-the-new-year-stop-overdoing-everything-6b9a4b99
MARRIAGE OR RELATIONSHIP TROUBLES? Sign up here for coaching with Suzanne: https://www.suzannevenker.com/coaching/
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