If you are an excellent performer but are suddenly finding it difficult to get things done check if any of the following personal traits are getting in your way.
- Being a perfectionist: While it is great that you like a job well done, wanting something to be perfect can cause a lot of rework and waste precious time. Perfectionists can drive their teams, especially subordinates, crazy as they constantly make them redo the same task. It is important to know that not everything needs to be perfect. Look at you work load and prioritise based on urgency, criticality and impact of the assignment. Then factor in the time for it. Try giving clearer instructions to your team the first time and limit yourself to one or two modifications. And don’t fall into the trap of doing someone elses job just because you feel you can do it better.
- Over-competitivness: High performers have almost a constant need to be ahead of others. They can frequently push others to get onto what they percieve as important assignments. This can cause them to take on work that is not only boring but time consuming while making them look like bad team players. Nobody likes to be on a team with someone who always makes them look like they do less. As you grow in your career, support and co-operation from others is critical to your success. Choose the amount of work you do and share both workload and credit with others.
- Constant need to do more : High achievers are high achievers because they do more than others. But even high achievers cannot keep up a high energy drive forever, without compromising on creativity and productivity. Even they need to slow down every once in a while. Unfortunately a lot of high achievers are afraid to slow down for fear of losing out or because they feel the need to meet the personal image standards they have created for themselves. If you feel this is a trap you are falling into remember you are valued for your outcomes over a period of time. So if you take a break sometimes it should not majorly impact your performance.
- Need for speed: High performers often want to grow fast. This can cause them to set unrealistic goals or skips steps in the process of growth. Unfortunately neither of these are sustainable behaviours and will cause performance compromises somewhere ahead. Ensure you are setting practical targets both for yourself and your team and covering all sides as you move ahead.