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ENTITY reports on being an underachiever.Photo via Twitter / @WhiteSeo_

Underachievers are often dismissed as people who are just trying to get by. But that’s not actually the technical definition of an underachiever.

According to Harold Cohen, Ph.D. from Psych Central, “Underachievement is related to disappointment with ourselves.” Basically, you accomplish less than you expect from yourself.

And when you’re disappointed with yourself, you start thinking you’re not good enough. This isn’t a healthy habit, but it can be the very reason you don’t go beyond what you’re capable of. Because if you’re already not good enough, then what’s the point, right?

Not quite.

ENTITY reports on being an underachiever.

According to Cohen, underachievers don’t believe they’re accomplishing what they set out to do. Thus, they’re constantly frustrated that they’re not reaching their “ideal” level. Some of these people may even just take more time to accomplish something, but aren’t giving themselves enough slack or time.

And because underachievers think they’re constantly falling short of their goals, they often tell themselves to do more and more. Many underachievers may actually accomplish a great deal in their lives, but they don’t realize it because of their unrealistic standards.

So, if you’re an underachiever, you may not actually be lazy. You may just think you are.

But how do you combat this mindset?

1 Steer yourself in productive directions.

ENTITY reports on being an underachiever.

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Michael Ashworth, Ph.D. told Psych Central, “If you are an underachiever, you’ll need to learn how to steer yourself in more productive directions. Like all stress indicators, underachievement may be the result of faulty thinking … Learning to have a rational view of your life is an important step in conquering underachievement.”

You can start combating your underachiever mentality by making realistic goals for yourself. Many underachievers already know how to work hard, they just need to learn how to adjust expectations.

Don’t stress yourself out by taking on tasks you know you won’t be able to handle. Focus on one thing at a time, if need be. Trying to handle everything at once only leads to stress and disappointment, the number one cause of underachiever mentalities.

2 Find good mentors and ask them to help you plan your life.

ENTITY reports on being an underachiever.

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According to Ashworth to become a better planner you should, “Seek assistance from those who know how to plan and be organized, attend workshops and seminars on being more productive, or read books or listen to tapes on organization. Learn better time-management skills and develop a better organization for yourself, your office and home.”

It’s okay to ask for assistance if you’re having a hard time becoming a better planner. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.

3 Take responsibility for your ingrained negativity.

ENTITY reports on being an underachiever.

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Take all the negatives in your life and try to change the way you look at them.

Psychologist Leon Seltzer Ph.D writes on Psychology Today, “Self-reinvigorating process starts with the willingness to take total responsibility for your so-ingrained negativity … You need to continually remind yourself that you have sufficient intelligence to succeed at pretty much anything you diligently apply yourself to.”

In the words of Kathryn Stockett from “The Help,” “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”

Moving away from your underachievement requires you to change the way you look at yourself. One great way to do this is to surround yourself with people you love and things you love. It will help you see the world through a more positive filter.

And for many underachievers, that may be all they need.

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