Over Achiever

I am always puzzled when people throw out the phrase "Over Achiever" especially since it seems to be an attempt as an insult.  Usually this is how I am viewed.  Before you also label me as arrogant, let me explain.  I am not an "over-achiever" in all areas.  I am sort of a black and white person when it comes to being passionately obsessive.  Take for instance organization and cleaning.  I am not good at it, I don't care about it, and I think that "pile" and "file" are rhyming words which magically makes them synonyms. 

However, when it comes to teaching, my students, my kids, cooking, gardening ect.  I am into those things all the way.  If something is worth doing it should be done well.  I am also not into going through the motions for the sake of checking something off the list or for something to sound good.

Unfortunately I find myself in this position way too often.  I am asked to just quickly come up with a unit and then teach it in two 45 min class periods, or just schedule some confreres for kids for 15 min. each.  It all feels too rushed, to shallow given how important attention and depth are for development. Emotional, physical confidence, ect.

So if you too find yourself lost at how to defend yourself against those who use the term "Over Achiever" here are a few motivating quotes to help you feel better about yourself. 

This was given in a speech by Nelson Mandela

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”


by Marianne Williamson


from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles



Mother Teresa's "Anyway" Poem


People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.



So go out and over achive today anyway.