“The Overachiever’s Paradox – When More Is Less,”

Many driven individuals describe themselves as overachievers, and I used to think this was entirely positive. However, I’ve come to realize that there are significant downsides.

Overachievers often work long hours, strive for perfection, and take on too much. While these traits might lead to promotions, recognition, or financial gains in the short term, there are hidden costs and consequences.

You’ve likely heard of burnout, but it’s more than just a mental or emotional state. It can manifest physically through chronic stress, sleep deprivation, poor diet, gastrointestinal problems, lack of exercise, and anxiety, eventually leading to a decline in both physical and mental health. In fact, according to Lyra Health’s 2025 Trends, employees and leaders experiencing burnout are 63% more likely to take a sick day, 23% more likely to visit the emergency room, and 2.6 times more likely to be actively seeking a new job.

I referred to a paradox in the title, and it’s the Decreased Productivity Paradox. Excessive hours often lead to diminishing returns, resulting in lower quality work, increased errors, and reduced creativity. We are most resourceful, creative, and whole when we are happy and relaxed, typically during or after a fulfilling activity. It’s hard to produce your best work at 9 PM after a full day.

The antidote to burnout is “working smarter, not harder.” This means focusing on sustained high-performance by learning to:

• Define what “enough” is
• Strategically prioritize what has the most impact
• Say “no” or “later” to lower-value activities
• Value the power of rest and recovery
• Delegate and empower others by trusting your team
• Measure success differently
• Set boundaries between work and personal life
• Practice mindfulness and self-compassion to know your limits

While competitive environments and startup cultures may encourage unsustainable hours, and the fear of missing out or tying work to personal identity can be strong, these are often illusions. Anything that pushes you towards unsustainable behaviors and performance will ultimately lead to disappointment and failure.

Instead, focus on your strengths: being goal-oriented, self-directed, and capable of achieving your full potential. Use those strengths within the parameters listed above. This approach will lead to genuine happiness and success…guaranteed. It’s time to release the overachiever’s paradox.