Let's begin this topic with an example. There is always an overachiever in our lives, regardless of wherever we go.  Now let's put them in the spotlight. In a highly competitive world like ours, where it's the survival of the fittest, I am not surprised we as overachievers are many, but the relentless pursuit of excellence, a hallmark of overachievers, often comes at a significant emotional cost. As someone who constantly felt the pressure to live up to expectations, I often struggled with anxiety and a fear of failure. It wasn't until I discovered the power of emotional intelligence (EQ) that I realised there was a better way to deal with things.

 Dr. Goleman, the father of emotional intelligence, described emotional intelligence as a person's ability to manage and interpret their feelings and emotions so that those feelings are expressed appropriately and effectively. Emotions sound like they don't matter and are belittled, especially in the Indian society we live in, and suppressing them is how we collectively mislead everybody in this generation, but you'll be surprised to know that EQ matters the most among various categories of intelligence. Coming back to overachievers, have you ever felt so low because of the expectations piled up on you? Sometimes it's the social circle, and in some cases, it's you who build the pressure. I am one such person. My family never pressured me into getting 99.9%. Life is not like a lifebuoy advertisement, but the feeling of disappointing my family's expectations and the great things they said about me was hard to maintain. It felt like I couldn't catch a break, and this is where I learned the power of emotional intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence 

Emotional intelligence offers a pathway out of this trend. By understanding how emotions play a pivotal role in living a happier life and managing emotions effectively, we can permanently transform our relationship with stress and pressure. Self-awareness is crucial for recognising the signs of anxiety and identifying its triggers. Once these triggers are identified, strategies can be developed to manage them proactively. It's easy to talk about being empathic to others, but we often neglect the concept of self-empathy, and it's not something one should suppress. We often set unrealistic expectations and tend to become hard on ourselves when we don't meet these unattainable standards. Self-help is the best solution when knowing your emotions, treating yourself with kindness and compassion, and understanding yourself helps us to alleviate self-criticism and build resilience.

 How do we escape it ?

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We can escape it by developing self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management skills. Overachievers can harness their potential without compromising their mental health.  Know and express yourself freely, and you will find the peace you’ve wanted. That's in the case of an overachiever's dilemma, but emotional intelligence is much more than that. It also involves understanding and responding to the emotions of others. Building strong relationships with peers, teachers, and family can provide a healthy support system to lean on during challenging times. 

Let's dive into how we can build ourselves, starting by recognising our emotions, knowing our capabilities and limitations, reflecting on ourselves, and taking a moment to appreciate and evaluate our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Now that we have taken note of ourselves, how do we manage these emotions?

Avoid Burnout Early On 

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly enhance your emotional intelligence and improve your overall well-being. It's essential to remember that emotional intelligence is a journey, not a destination. Continuous self-awareness, learning, and practice are key to enhancing this vital life skill. By embracing emotional intelligence, we unlock our full potential and create a more harmonious and fulfilling life for ourselves and those around us.