OVERACHIEVING IS A DISEASE

I hear from a lot of managers how their organizations want to achieve too much with a fraction of its real costs and get staff to do more than they can possibly accomplish.

The disease-to-overachieve that permeates in many organizational cultures is strong where the need is irrational leading to unhealthy decision options. Manager complain of longer work hours, additional responsibilities without supports, resources, and systems alignment, and expectations to be easy on the budget. 

Overachievement comes from fear.

Fear of not measuring up;
Fear of failure;
Fear of being not being seen as a strong and viable entity; 
Fear of not being on par with your constituencies and networks;

This fear is overcompensated by absorbing too much, too soon, and with too little. Scope creep becomes an accepted norm. Resisting this in a culture where more is great is near suicidal and would cost a career loss. 
 
I heard some time ago from a local town person that their local township is trying to be what it's not.  People in the inside can't see this clearly. 

If you're caught up in the whirlwind of overachievement, ask your leaders, the following questions:

1. What exactly they want to remove off your plate so you can get things done on more important things?

2. What supports and resources are available right now to achieve these goals?

3. What goals are good-to-have and what are the musts?

4. What activities generate the best outcomes? 

These questions can lead to more realization and quite frankly, a light in the tunnel.