Childhood labels can have long-lasting effects on a person. The "misbehaving child" may internalize the idea that they are "bad." The "shy kid" may think there's something wrong with them for taking time to warm up to a social situation. Yet, being labeled "high-achiever" seems like a big win on the surface, and it certainly can be. However, being called a "high-achiever" as a child also has drawbacks.
"If these children don’t receive high support and empathy from their parents, they stand to develop a lot of issues with tolerating stress," says Dr. Brittany McGeehan, Ph.D ., a Texas-based licensed psychologist. "They can sometimes crack under pressure versus being able to push through or set appropriate goals in the first place."
Yet, potential benefits of the label also exist, including developing characteristics that serve them well as adults. Psychologists share common traits people considered "high achievers" in childhood display long after celebrating their 18th birthdays.
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Who Is a 'High-Achieving' Child?
It might help to pinpoint precisely who gets the "high-achieving" label as a child.
"These tend to be the children who appear to 'do it all,'" says Dr. Larissa Redziniak , Phy.D., a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks. "The ones who achieve high grades, participate in extracurriculars and sports, maybe play an instrument. These are the kids who get perfect attendance awards and tend to have developed organizational and time management skills at an early age."
Dr. Redziniak says high-achieving kids often have little trouble learning and understanding new concepts and are intrinsically motivated.
Often, they're intrinsically motivated, understand concepts and learn with little difficulty.
Yet, how does this label play out years later?
15 Traits of People Considered 'High-Achievers' in Childhood
1. Self-critical
High achievers may have long been in the spotlight in school and during sports. However, the inner motivation that got them there may have a downside: They are their own biggest critics, something that follows them to adulthood.
"They may be constantly self-evaluating and frequently doubting themselves and have concerns about their performance or quality of work," says Dr. Holly Schiff, Psy.D. , a licensed clinical psychologist.
2. Increased anxiety
The high-achiever label can make every situation feel like a high-pressure one, triggering chronic anxiety.
"High-achievers can get used to doing things well and quickly, and this can create a cycle of anxiety whenever they have to complete tasks in their day-to-day lives," says Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, Ph.D., a psychologist and Hope for Depression Research Foundation media advisor. "This can be particularly present in their careers where they feel anxious about performing well all the time."
Related: People Who Were Told They Were 'Too Sensitive' as Children Usually Develop These 14 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say
3. Adaptability
You may think high achievers only find success from following rigid schedules—and that may be true for some. However, psychologists say high achievers are often adaptable adults.
"Someone who has grown up being given additional responsibilities, challenges and opportunities, coupled with high support from teachers and parents, typically develops adaptability to novel situations," Dr. McGeehan explains. "They’re able to adjust as they get new material and think quicker than others who may not have experienced the same supports and experiences to allow them to practice."
4. Perfectionism
Every psychologist we spoke with mentioned this one.
"Being 'good enough' is not enough for them, so they strive for absolute perfection," Dr. Schiff says. "They want to be the best at everything and feel less worthy...if they lose or get rejected. They want to live up to their label and fulfill their potential, never wanting to underperform."
5. Determination
You can knock a high-achiever down, but don't count them out.
"These individuals tend to have developed an ability to keep working toward their goal despite disappointments or failures," Dr. Redziniak says. "Over time, they see that learning from failures and trying again leads to success just as much as talent/ability does."
6. Difficulty slowing down
People labeled high achievers naturally have an easier time grasping concepts. However, the idea that rest is productive is often an exception.
"Often, high achievers multitask or find themselves always doing something in their lives," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says. "They thrive under pressure and feel energized when they have a lot of things going on."
However, Dr. Lira de la Rosa warns this hustle-culture mentality isn't sustainable.
"Their bodies will eventually shut down or give them signs that they are working under a lot of stress and pressure," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says. High achievers may not know how to slow down and avoid taking care of themselves because they are used to always being on the go."
Related: This is the No. 1 Sneaky Sign of Workplace Burnout To Look Out for Before It's Too Late, According to Career Counselors
7. Competitive
Go-getters frequently have a naturally competitive edge, which has pros and cons depending on how it's harnessed.
"If someone grows up being called a high achiever and is intellectually stimulated, they will probably develop a competitive trait that may fuel extra motivation to succeed," Dr. McGeehan says. "This can lead to burnout and additional stress if they aren’t careful, but if it’s honed, it can be a tremendous advantage in the workplace."
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8. Disciplined
Push notifications are no match for the discipline of a high achiever.
"High achievers often have developed a strong ability to stay very focused on their goals and avoid distractions," Dr. Redziniak says. "They have internalized that getting distracted may lead them away from achievement. However, they may have difficulty “letting loose” and taking time to relax."
9. Motivation
While coaches can be great mentors, high-achievers often require little external motivation to go for a goal.
"High achievers tend to have clear goals and keep these goals in mind with the choices they make," Dr. Redziniak says. "They are often encouraged when they feel a sense of accomplishment, which motivates them to move on to their next."
10. High expectations
These people may have internalized the high expectations placed on them in childhood.
"While it is not bad to have high expectations, it can become a problem when someone only overly relies on their high expectations as a measure of their success," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says.
11. Critical of others
We've spoken about self-criticism. However, sometimes, people tabbed "high-achievers" as kids can also become highly critical of others as adults.
"If someone hasn’t done their own personal healing, then they may develop into being critical in adulthood," Dr. McGeehan explains. "This can come from feeling superior to those around them and ultimately feeling critical of themselves. Imagine the voice that’s always beating them up on them in their head then being projected onto others."
Related: People Who Felt Constantly Criticized as Children Usually Develop These 13 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say
12. Fear of failure
Failure doesn't appear to deter a high-achiever. However, internally, the fear of it may have them talking themselves out of pursuing something.
"Although we all can and will experience failure, high achievers fear failure because they view it as a personal flaw," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says. "This happens because they are used to always achieving what they set their minds to and have had limited experiences with failure."
13. Not trusting others to get things done
"If you want something done, you have to do it yourself," may be a (false) common refrain from someone called a high-achiever during their youth.
"High achievers work well with others but may prefer to work alone because they have more control," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says. "This can be useful when things need to get done efficiently but may not be good when you have to trust and rely on others for assistance."
14. Empathy
Empathy can help you develop deeper relationships. Being called a high achiever early in life may be why a person develops empathy.
"If someone has reckoned with how the label of high achiever has impacted them, they are primed to develop high empathy , partly due to a higher cognitive capacity and emotional intelligence paired with their own life experiences," Dr. McGeehan says.
15. Lifelong learning
Learning can become a love language for long-time high-achievers.
"They do genuinely enjoy learning and trying to do new things, especially if they are good at it. However, sometimes they may forget to rely on their love for learning and instead rely on meeting others' expectations," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says.
Up Next: People Who Felt Lonely as Children Usually Develop These 13 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say
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