I’ve always been an overachiever. I’m not saying that in a bragging kind of way – overachieving is hardly a worthwhile goal. But it’s not a type of pathology either, as some would have us think. 

I’m not even sure what we mean by overachieving. The ‘over’ part implies attaining something beyond the norm. But we have highly individualised aspirations, perspectives, goals, capacities and energy levels. What’s typical for you is likely atypical for me (and vice versa). I have a friend who craves...