I was called an overachiever for the first time in 2015 – and by another woman.The remark came after a discussion of childhood schooling,where she measured her son’s track record against my own.

The remark caught me completely by surprise. What did it mean exactly? Is there something wrong with personal success? Am I supposed tolower my standards? Work less hard? Set fewer goals?

Was it because I am a woman?

Achievement in Jamaica

Prior to moving to the United States, I don’t remember ever hearing the word ‘overachiever’. In Jamaica, you’re either hardworking, or lazy – gender be damned!

In Jamaica, it’s also common for femalesto excel in school – more so than males. We also outnumber them in college classrooms; and then outnumber them again in most areas of the work force; and have a much higher literacy rate.

According to expert sources, like the American Psychology…