Achievement orientation

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." - The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:24

Achievement orientation is when an individual's inclination and attitide toward the development and validation of one's ability to achieve is high. A person who exhibits achievement orientation is passionate about achieving their goals and their overall success. Having strong self-motivation is a prerequisite for having an achievement orientation. It often also involves having a strong set of leadership skills rather than following others.

Factors that are conducive an achievement orientation are: a desire to meet or exceed a standard of excellence; key performance indicators; self-control; welcoming the feedback of others; a strong desire to continually improve one's performance; interpersonal skills; teamwork skills; risk management skills, and understanding the context of a given situation relative to factors such as an organization's mission and goals, prioritization, and other important factors.

Conscientiousness and achievement orientation

See also: Conscientiousness

According to Science Direct:

“

For conscientious persons achievement orientation and goal-directedness color both their thoughts and their emotions around information seeking. Their search experience may appear rational and accompanied by fairly neutral emotions, but they may harbor a strong need to feel competent and successful. Conscientious persons are foremost focused on the goal of their search, and so their feelings are often related to reaching – or not reaching – it. If there are obstacles along the way or it takes a long time to find relevant information, they may feel frustrated. When they have solved their information need or feel they are making progress they feel happy and relieved. Conscientious persons have explained that they enjoy information interaction the most when they proceed towards completion of their search, and ‘finally find what [they] look for’, or ‘come across the perfect source’ (Heinström, forthcoming). The distinct focus of their emotions is hence on the outcome, on finding or not finding relevant information as opposed to experiencing gratification in the ongoing process of searching for it. One rational conscientious student describes her feelings in this way: ‘As long as I make progress, I feel I am making efficient use of my time. I get excited if I find exactly what I need or a perfect search term’ (Todd et al., 2005).

”

Psychology of high achievers

Usain Bolt beating Tyson Gay and setting a 100 meter world record at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany.

• What sets high achievers apart?, American Pschological Association on grit and self-control
• The Psychology of High Achievers, Walden University

Mindset of high achievers

• 6 Mindsets of a Great Achiever
• Elevator Up? The Mindset Behind a Champion
• Mindset and Success: How Your Thinking Shapes Your Achievements

The Achievement Factors: B. Eugene Griessman's research

The 1993 book The Achievement Factors: Candid Interviews With Some of the Most Successful People of Our Time by B. Eugene Griessman is a book that focuses on the characteristics of high achievers. In researching the book, Griessman interviewed 60+ people from numerous fields.

Below is a summarized list of what he discovered summarized by coach Bob Starkey:

1. High achievers discover their vocation and their specialty. They find something they love doing.

2. High achievers develop a competency.

3. High achievers manage their time well.

4. High achievers are persistent.

5. They channel their needs and desires into their work

6. They develop the ability to focus and cut out distractions.

7. "High Achievers Function Appropriately in Their Situations Virtually all the high achievers say that, and a large number of them use the word luck to explain their accomplishments. They also mention the importance of mentors and discoverers and teachers."

8. High achievers perceive opportunities and practice lifelong learning. They learn from others feedback.

9. High achievers seize opportunities.

Internet archive: Free copy of The Achievement Factors: Candid Interviews With Some of the Most Successful People of Our Time by B. Eugene Griessman

• Free copy of The Achievement Factors: Candid Interviews With Some of the Most Successful People of Our Time by B. Eugene Griessman

Journal articles on achievement orientation

• Pro-Social Goals in Achievement Situations: Amity Goal Orientation Enhances the Positive Effects of Mastery Goal Orientation, Perspectives of Social Psychology Bulletin. 2018 Aug;44(8):1258-1269. doi: 10.1177/0146167218765745. Epub 2018 Apr 11.

Education: Achievement Orientation Model (Siegle & McCoach, 2005)

• Achievement Orientation Model (Siegle & McCoach, 2005)
• Achievement Orientation Model (Siegle & McCoach, 2005) (Useful diagram)

Key variables to task engagement and achievement:

1. Possesses adequate skills to perform the task

2. Values the task or outcomes (Meaningfulness)

3. Expects to succeed (Environmental perception)

4. Confident in one's ability to perform the task (Self-efficacy)

5. Sets realistic expectations and implements realistic strategies to successfully complete goals (Self-regulation)

6. Home, peers and school are important inputs

Systematic achievement motivation diagram

Systematic achievement motivation diagram

Factors which impede high achievement

• Inadequate preparation (lack of study, relying on poor sources of information, etc.).

• Making excuses

Recommended books

• The Achievement Factors: Candid Interviews With Some of the Most Successful People of Our Time by B. Eugene Griessman, Omni Media; 1st edition (November 1987)

• On the Journey to Achievement by John Patrick Hickey, Motivational Press, Inc. (January 21, 2015)

Christian authors

• Peak Performance Principles by John Noe, Frederick Fell Publishers (June 1, 2005)

See also

• Results orientation
• Growth mindset
• Mental toughness

Essay:

• Grit, the key to outstanding achievements

External links

• 4 Things High Achievers Do Differently, Harvard Business Review, 2023
• Getting Into The Mindset Of A Top Achiever, Forbes, 2022