Does your student have a sense of perfectionism? Do they get their self-worth from achieving good grades? Are the involved in a lot of different things? DO they have a type A personality? If so, your student may not be doing as well as it looks on the outside. Your student may be suffering on the inside.
Overachieving is a problem. Why? Overachievers succeed which can mask the pain inside. The pain becomes evident when difficulties arise in grades, or another emotional stressor is added, or they seem like they are overwhelmed. What had worked is not working now and the facade of wellness and perfectionism comes crashing down.
Overachieving is a problem. What’s the alternative?
Let’s consider that overachieving and peak performance are not the same thing. The former is an avoidant based behavior. One small issue can lead to the facade of success crashing down. The latter is based on a growth mindset and intentional behaviors and choices to maximize effort and preparation. Results come directly from this formula.
Success can be good, great even, but family messages, coping strategies, and perfectionism play a role in overachieving being problematic. Self-worth comes not from inside but how much success is achieved and recognized. That is not a house built on a solid foundation. What builds that foundation? How do you recognize when perfectionism and overachieving are playing a role? What messages are you sending your student? How do you get your student to change over to a peak performance mindset? This episode will guide you through all of it.
Overachieving is a problem. Let’s avoid that. Yes, avoidance can he healthy, but not for these students. How do you spot this in your student and how do you help them overcome it? Well, that’s what this episode is all about.
