#2: Over-Achiever? How To Balance Ambition With ‘Being Perfect’

11/23/23 • 11 min

The Career By Design Podcast with Stacey Back

This ONE crippling issue keeps high-performers, like you, stuck in a constant cycle of overwork and burnout.
Can you guess what it is?
It's overachievement -- and perfectionism!
Ever been asked in an interview: ‘What’s your weakness?’. Well, way back in the early days of my career, my go to response which I'd state very proudly was: ‘I’m a perfectionist!’
Perfectionism has been a constant battle my ENTIRE life. And I’m not alone.
It’s a common trait amongst many high-achievers -- and traditionally, society has often associated it with accomplishment and success.
But when does achievement become unhealthy or unhelpful? And how do you remain driven and motivated, while keeping your perfectionism in check?
In today's episode of The Career By Design Podcast, I cover:

Where perfectionism comes from and the consequences of over-achievement
The difference between healthy striving and perfectionism -- and how to determine if it’s time to address it
How to find better balance AND remain productive -- without burning out
Ways to work through procrastination so you can stay in action and get the results you want
My top tips to help you successfully balance your ambitions with the desire to ‘be perfect’

As a ‘recovering’ perfectionist, this topic is near and dear to my heart -- and one I support many high-performers with too.
My intention with this episode is to give you actionable strategies you can immediately implement to successfully manage perfectionism and keep your overachievement in check!
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast now and leave me a 5 star rating and review. This is how other people can find this podcast and benefit too!
Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
LINKS:
Ready to create a career on your terms? Listen to this free guided audio and learn 3 steps to make the right career decisions, every time. Get instant access.
Learn more about what I do at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Where perfectionism comes from and the consequences of over-achievement
The difference between healthy striving and perfectionism -- and how to determine if it’s time to address it
How to find better balance AND remain productive -- without burning out
Ways to work through procrastination so you can stay in action and get the results you want
My top tips to help you successfully balance your ambitions with the desire to ‘be perfect’

Previous Episode

#1: How To Create YOUR Career By Design

Are you a high-achiever and successful in your career -- but finding yourself at a career crossroads? Feeling frustrated, unfulfilled or confused about your next career steps?
If so, you’re in the right place. This podcast episode is a MUST LISTEN -- and especially made for you!
Today, I’m sharing my signature Career By Design method, which not only inspired the name of this podcast -- but the entire philosophy behind it too.
I’ll give you some background on my journey to developing the Career By Design method and how it helps my clients get unstuck, clarify their direction and create a career on their terms.
Then, I’ll break down the 3 key pillars of Clarity, Confidence and Career Strategy -- and how you can apply this method to your career.
You’ll learn:

1:24: The specific steps I took to navigate a career crossroads and move from an established career into more meaningful work
3:06: My honest struggles with overworking, burnout and career confusion which led me to redefine success and create my career by design
6:52: The secret ingredient to move from confusion to clarity and practical tips to figure out what you want next in your career
9:25: The number one mistake people make when it comes to building confidence -- and how to overcome the imposter syndrome and self-doubt holding you back in your career
11:39: The importance of having a clear strategy to take you from where you are now, to the ‘next level’ in your career
13:50: 4 questions to pinpoint the blind-spots keeping you stuck, so you can get crystal clear on what to do next

My intention with this episode is to show you how to use the Career By Design method to know exactly where to focus. Plus, have practical steps you can keep coming back to any time you’re feeling stuck in your career.
So grab a pen and paper and let’s start creating YOUR career by design!
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast now and leave me a 5 star rating and review. This is how other people can find this podcast and benefit too!
Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
LINKS:
Want clarity on your next career step? Hit play on this free guided audio and in 15 minutes, I'll give you all the strategies you need to get started! Get instant access.

Learn more about what I do at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Next Episode

#3: 9 Surprising Mistakes Keeping You Stuck In The ‘Wrong’ Career

Are YOU making one of these common career fails?
It’s happened with EVERY new client I've ever worked with...
They contact me because they’re feeling stuck in their career and want help to figure out what to do next. In our introductory consult I’ll ask them what they’ve already tried to address this challenge.
Nine times out of ten, I’ll hear:
‘I’ve applied for a new job BUT I’m not sure if it’s what I want.’ Or: ‘I went through an entire interview process and got offered the job — then realised it’s not the right fit.’
Can you relate?
You think your current role is the problem and finding a new job will ‘fix’ it. Only to find the same issues follow you to your next position.
In today’s episode, I'm talking about the biggest mistakes I see high-performers make -- which keep them stuck in their careers and stop them reaching their professional goals.
You'll discover:

9 surprising mistakes keeping you stuck in the ‘wrong’ career -- from ‘following your passions’, getting ‘stuck in the scroll’ and the notorious ‘new job fix’
Practical steps you can take today to overcome these challenges -- and even avoid them altogether!
The most critical shift you must make to move out of analysis paralysis and start creating the career you want
Ways to escape the cycle of stress, overwhelm and burnout in your career, ESPECIALLY if you’re time poor
PLUS, an invitation to work with me further in 2024 to get unstuck and design the career you want with clarity and confidence

Listen in now, as all will be revealed in this episode!
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast now and leave me a 5 star rating and review. This is how other people can find this podcast and benefit too!
Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars and then select ‘Write a review.’ Then, be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
LINKS:
Ignite Your Career is open for enrolment! This signature coaching program will help you find the work which lights you up, increase your income, impact and create a career -- and life -- on YOUR terms. Learn more here.
If you’re interested in working together in 2024, I invite you to book a 30 minute call with me here.
Learn more about what I do at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.