The life of An Achiever.

Growing up I was never the smartest kid in my class. I have never been good at getting every answer right on a test, or raising my hand at every question asked in class. School has never been my strong suit, In all actuality still haven’t found my strong suit in life. The things I take great interest in – mostly art related; such as dance or photography – I have never greatly excelled in. I am just not that great at things. I have accepted this fact and have classified myself as an achiever.

To achieve: to get or attain by effort. For the most part, this is true. In life to achieve; or be an ‘achiever’ like myself is sometimes not enough. But being an achiever is not too little. It is contentment. You never get below a C but achieving an A is out the reach at times. People like myself tend to have bits and pieces of minor ADD during class or when trying to study or do homework. It is not that we do not try at all, it is that we do not try more than they are given.

Over achievers are what kill us most. They take what we – simple achievers – are able to do and double it at what seems to be a piece of cake to them. I never quite understand how they are able to do this and to them it is nothing. These over achievers make everybody else feel not worthy. They are that plump ripe red apple on the top of the tree that is always right out of reach for you.

Then there are those under achievers that make you feel like Einstein. They are the ones that instill gratitude in you that your passing the class with a C. You suddenly feel that your that top apple on the tree. With under achievers around, they act as a minor motivation to stay at where you are or perhaps to even do better. They show that your tiny bit of effort may actually be enough. That you do not have to be the best at what your doing, as long as you are able to do it.

I know that I am not the smartest but knowing that I can do what is needed is comforting. I accept the fact that I wont get that executive, new york swanky, 30th floor desk job. I am content with getting the 29th floor. Or even the 28th. It is not that I am too lazy or unmotivated; I know my limits. My priorities as an achiever are different as those under or over achievers. I do not focus my whole life of getting that 5.0 or perfect score on my tests. I also do not focus on the latest party or what gossip is going on around school. I spend my life on a balance beam. Neither school or social take a priority above the other. My family and friends mean just as much to me as my education. I see it as it is not where you end up in life, it is how you get there and who helps you along the way.