Achievers are different to the E-types in that their desire for the approval of others is not as pronounced. They are more confident and self-centred. They seek to achieve partly for the status and kudos and certainly for the material rewards they desire and believe they deserve. They are very ambitious. In time, achievement for achievement’s sake becomes a prime motivator. They thrive on challenge and in extreme cases believe their life has no meaning without it.
Achievers are always on the go. So busy are they, in fact, that they hardly have time to draw breath, an expression many of them use when describing a typical day in their lives. Such shallow breathing practices help to explain why so many of them are burnt out. They work hard and long hours. Being positive and highly motivated, many of them are into taking care of themselves, as they perceive ‘taking care’ to be. Many of them play some sort of sport, work out with weights, do aerobics, or jog or swim regularly.
The more extreme achievers get into heavy competition sport or take part in triathlons. Many of them stay away from junk food preferring whole meal breads, sprouts, lentils, and other high-fibre natural foods.
The big problem is they never get time to rest. The irony is that high-fibre, natural foods are harder to digest than refined, fast foods and if they don’t take time out to sit quietly they never absorb the nutrients from their food which, being high fibre, passes rapidly through and out of them. Insidious malnutrition is a big problem for achievers who are perplexed at feeling so tired when they are working so hard at keeping fit and eating properly.
Extreme achievers take themselves, life and everything they do very seriously, often too seriously. They view life as a struggle for existence and remain stressed until they change this attitude. Some achievers pursue their chosen path in lieu of a relationship or because their present relationships are unfulfilling.
Achievers have to recognise that time out for quiet, restful moments in their day, plus eight hours’ sleep, is imperative if they are to have it all. Reduction in work and exercise loads are also needed. Retaining the high goals they have set themselves is fine. Extending the time frames needed to achieve these goals is the answer. Apply the principle of the hare and the tortoise rigorously.
Achievers always argue that their exercise regimen is a release from stress and up to a point this is true. It is at least a diversion from work and it does at least get some oxygen into the blood and the blood moving. Unfortunately, high impact exercises also fill the muscles with lactic acid, which lowers the body’s calcium reserves predisposing it to nervousness, headaches and irritability. The tension achievers incur through the course of a busy day has already put high levels of lactic acid in their muscles. To achieve true tension release from their busy schedule, achievers will benefit from taking up yoga, Tai Chi or yogic walking. The only good reason to go to a gym is for a sauna, swirl pool and massage.
Achievers burn out because they want results too quickly. If they can get the balance between work and rest right, they lead a fulfilling life and end up achieving more than they ever dreamed possible. High achieving is fine—over-achieving makes us ill.
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