Since when did putting one’s best foot forward become “overachieving?” Last time I checked, professionals at the top of their respective fields are excelling for what? Being average? Mediocre? No. They have found success due to what many call “overachieving.” Overachievers are often believed to be extremely hard-working and goal-oriented. While these qualities may be true of many, they are not the only adjectives to describe an “overachiever.” “Overachievers” actually enjoy the thrill of challenging themselves to explore as many avenues and opportunities as possible.

Is there truly a limit to what one can “achieve” in life? If there is, anyone who has ever negatively deemed a fellow peer an “overachiever” still has quite a bit of work cut out for them. Granted, we who receive the oh-so-lovely nickname of “overachiever” still have quite a bit of work to ourselves. Our goals, dreams, and aspirations are endless. There will never come a time when we will feel “achieved.” Of course, when we do well or find ourselves with a great accomplishment, we are ecstatic. Our hard work and “overachieving” has come to fruition.

Calling someone an “overachiever” is essentially insulting their personality. Those who work hard to excel are driven by the wiring of their brain and heart. It takes dedication, sacrifice, and passion to go above and beyond expectations. Everyone is wired differently and should be respected for that. If someone finds enjoyment in challenging themselves, recognize that. Setting standards and actually meeting them are two completely different matters. Anyone can “say” they have a purpose or goal. Only those who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to their ambition actually follow through.

On many occasions, I have personally been called an “overachiever” by my peers. However, after brushing the comments aside, I must say I have never seen myself as “overachieving.” Rather, I simply give my best. Sometimes it is enough. Sometimes it is not. Sometimes it just was not what was being looked for. One can never tell. Life, just as everything else, is subjective, after all.

Next time you find yourself calling someone an “overachiever,” ask yourself, “What am I doing?” Perhaps you should reflect on your personal habits and work ethic before quickly labeling your peers (and future job competitors) as “overachievers.” Those working furiously now will be accepting job offers that you haven’t “achieved” enough to have. Raising one’s standards will only help in the long run. Achievements are not about who won the fastest sprint. Rather, they are about who successfully persevered through the marathon of life.

Leonardo da Vinci once said, “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” In other words, we must find our own success. The key to that success is within all of us. How we find that key is up to us.

In no case, though, should anyone be derogatorily called an “overachiever” for putting their best foot forward.