I'll admit it: I was an over-achiever in secondary school.
Whether it was academics or extra-curricular activities, I wanted it all. A conscientious student, I often arrived at school even earlier than the staff.
Once the fire alarm rang in the morning and I headed out to the outdoor basketball courts - the designated meeting point in such cases - only to discover that there was nobody else in the school except for a few teachers and two other students.
I'm not sure where I found the energy to keep up that invincible spirit and I guess it doesn't really matter: Over-achievement can only last so long. Of course, there will be exceptions, like Kofi Annan and Tian Liang. But they share the same key to success: they pursued their passions.
The only difference between them and you or me is that they went the extra mile to prove that they had talent in their chosen field.
With limited time on this Earth, we should all be doing the same.
Recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Kenyan Deputy Environment Minister Wangari Muta Maathai, is a great example of achieving success through dedication.