Overachiever Gifts

'Martin occasionally suffered nagging worries that he had been promoted beyond his abilities.'

'Getting here on time every morning, and never have a day off sick, just isn't good enough Moulding! How are you ever going to get through all the stuff I keep piling on top of you if you don't work through your lunch-break as well?'

Ladder of success"...Perhaps, you'd like our economy model."

'I have excellence fatigue.'

'The numbers on my report card aren't good, but I question the school's methodology.'

"Could you please downgrade this to a C? High expectations bring out the worst in my parents."

"Mexico? Amateur. I'm flying to Antarctica."

Workaholics anonymous

Overjumpers

'No ulcers shows me you haven't reached your full potential.'

'I'm a doctor, lawyer, and your congressman. Are you a patient, client, or constituent?'

'Your molars are worn down. You're biting off more than you can chew.'

'Where do you see yourself mired in 20 years?'

"Stop applying! You've been accepted to three universities!"

"Your internship is finally over. You're now required to work longer hours with no extra pay."

'They're a very successful family.'

'Ten 'A's? Frankly son, I'm disappointed that you're not more of a disappointment to me.'

"'Good' is not enough."

'I'm really worried about all the hours you've been putting in...the papers are full of articles about the dangers of overwork, of how stress can kill you.'

"We had to hire a replacement for you while you were gone. What? You've been here all along?"

"You promised to stop bringing your work home."

"Doing your homework may lead to a job that has homework."

Still a Disappointment to his Mother

Genius Envy

"The teacher expects too much of me. She wants me to give it the old college try, and I'm only in grade school."

'I told you hard work would pay off in the third grade, Cate...You've had three job offers.'

"You'll never make it as a doctor with handwriting like this. I understood every word."

"Rosalie—your poor performance this year has reduced your parents' investment in you by almost seventy per cent."

Too big to fail

Workaholics Anonymous meeting: 'No one showed up. Everyone is working.'

Workaholics anonymous meeting.

"Congratulations Professor, the committee 'okayed' your grant request."

"You're late, Myers!"

'That's your report card and might I add you need to try a little harder.'

"The chairman said he wanted to see you when you got out of hospital."