This post is dedicated to the overachievers. The ones who do more than just participate — who insist on being the best in everything they take on. You take on anything that is offered to you, because you welcome any chance to prove your worth. You always go the extra mile, and you always accept extra work. The word “no” is not in your vocabulary.
Does this sound like you? This is a portrait of the kind of student I was in both high school and college, and an attitude I’ve taken with me into the workplace. On a very basic level, it’s a great mindset to be in. Your intense motivation already puts you ahead of the pack. But beware: as I’ve learned time and time again, it’s easy for us go-getters to spread ourselves too thin without even realizing it.
In college, I took on a full load of classes each semester, held leadership positions in five extracurricular organizations, and earned a management position at my work study job. I was proud of my accomplishments and enjoyed my success — until I realized I didn’t have time to sleep. I found myself running from one end of campus to the other, seven days a week, with barely a second to run to Starbucks to keep myself awake. On paper, I was successful. In reality, my capacity for success was limited by an overwhelming amount of deadlines and responsibilities.
As you start to fill up your summer calendar and even plan for the upcoming fall, take a look at the things you’re involved in. Which ones mean the most to you? Is there one in particular that could translate into helpful, hands-on work experience for the future? Dedicate your time and energy to the few things that you think will really enrich your life. By learning to say “no,” you’ll increase your capacity for success in your most significant roles.
Written by Nicole Milano. Nicole is a writer and yoga instructor from Rochester, N.Y., as well as a freelance writer for NextStepU. Read more from her at The Everyday Yogi and tweet her @nicolemariemil.
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