Ways in which shame shows up as high achievement

10 Annoyingly sneaky ways in which shame shows up as high achievement

March 28, 20232 min read

Perfectionism: High achievers may feel pressure to be perfect in all aspects of their lives, which can lead to shame if they fall short of their own or others' expectations. 

 

Imposter syndrome: Despite their successes, high achievers may still feel like they don't belong or that they are frauds, leading to feelings of shame and self-doubt. 

 

Fear of failure: High achievers may feel like they must constantly achieve and succeed, leading to shame if they experience setbacks or failures. 

 

Comparison to others: High achievers may compare themselves to others, leading to shame if they perceive themselves as falling short in comparison. 

 

Overworking: High achievers may feel like they must constantly work and perform, leading to shame if they take breaks or prioritize self-care. 

 

Disconnection from emotions: High achievers may suppress their emotions in order to maintain focus and productivity, leading to shame if they struggle to connect with and express their feelings. 

 

Lack of vulnerability: High achievers may feel like they must always be strong and put-together, leading to shame if they struggle to be vulnerable with others. 

 

Difficulty accepting help: High achievers may feel like they must do everything on their own, leading to shame if they need or ask for help. 

 

Over-responsibility: High achievers may feel like they must take responsibility for everything and everyone, leading to shame if they struggle to set boundaries or delegate tasks. 

 

Internalized messages: High achievers may internalize messages from society, family, or past experiences that lead to shame around their achievements, such as feeling like they don't deserve their success or that they are not good enough. 

 

It's important to recognize that shame can be a pervasive and sneaky emotion as well as a somatic freeze pattern that can impact even the most successful and accomplished individuals. By building somatic  awareness of these shame triggers, high achievers can work to cultivate self-compassion and create a more balanced and fulfilling approach to success. 

 

Do you want to rewire your nervous system to redefine success in your own terms without shame ? Book a call now - https://www.sangparth.com/15min-call

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Sangheetha Parthasarathy

CEO, Sangparth |Neuroscience| MIT-Harvard Med School Innovation Bootcamp | Ex-Accenture | Top 100 Global HC leaders | Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

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