What does it mean to be an ‘achiever’? Responses to this may vary based on culture and other socioeconomic factors.
Taking this line of thought further, I’ve been intrigued and somewhat bemused by the term ‘high achievers’. Who decides who the high achievers are? Do you need someone to bestow this accolade on you or can it be self-styled?
Such an apparently subjective notion of ‘high achievers’ has become increasingly thrown into lighthearted conversations seemingly without much thought.
I still remember that the first time someone very dear to me said that I was feeling frustrated because I was a high achiever, it took a while for me to understand, appreciate and eventually accept their view. Could someone really think that I was a high achiever? Surely not, I thought at the time. I certainly didn’t.
As time has passed, and I’ve grown older, and hopefully wiser, I am proud that someone could think of me in this way. In fact, I’m told that I’m a high achiever more often these days. My response, after I have graciously accepted the compliment, is usually to say that I have only started with baby steps on the journey and have made mistakes along the way. I tell them that I have a ‘life list’ of achievements that I pray to live to achieve. Hopefully, the best is yet to come for all of us.
My ‘life list’ includes a combination of personal and professional goals that may be the subject of a future post. For the moment, I’m grateful to be in a position to contribute to the health and wellbeing of patients and colleagues, pursue further education, spend quality time with my family and friends as well as manage my low blood pressure and dizziness (vasovagal syncope) to ensure that I remain healthy. This last one is a challenge that I’m rising to and I’m happy that it is under control. The key is to rest and hydrate, hydrate and then hydrate some more, I’ve discovered. (I share this just to let you know that we all have challenges that we must rise above.)😉
I’ll continue to shine the light of reciprocal achievement by helping others grow and achieve every chance I get. The smallest act of kindness is all it really takes to give hope and inspiration. This will create an ‘achievement chain’ that others will see and will want to join by following their passion and making their dreams come through too!
I leave you with this quote by Nelson Mandela.
“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
Why not join the achievement chain today? I can think of a million reasons to say yes!!!👍
Featured images:
Nichole McIntosh FRSA 