Mediocrity or Excellence?

"Why choose mediocrity when excellence is an option?"

It may be a bit hard to read in the graphic above but, the gentleman featured is the founder of BNI (Business Network International), Ivan Misner. I'm not sure if the quote that you see in the box next to him is actually his but, he did share that statement in the video from which this screenshot came.

A little side note about BNI. I recently joined this organization in order to help my business. If you are looking for an excellent networking group that focuses on referrals then I strongly encourage you to check this group out. You should be able to find a chapter in your area by doing a search online.

The quote can apply to just about any and every situation whether you are talking about relationships, mindset or the workplace. And, by the way, excellence is ALWAYS an option!

The sad thing is what I found in the following graphic...

That literally makes me shudder because I've seen what seems to be this idea lived out in the flesh! YIKES! For too many, it seems that mediocrity is the "norm" and, friend, that's a horrible way to live and go through life. 

It's kind of like those t-shirts that I saw back several years ago. One would state, "I'm #1 - Why Try Harder?" and another would state, "I'm #3 - Why Try At All?". I believe there are too many in our society that are living the "#3 Lifestyle". 

Listen friend, if you choose to improve your life then you MUST understand the importance of determining that you will - at ALL times - seek excellence and NEVER settle for mediocrity.  

Now, listen, I'm not here to say that my sons always did what I advised them to do when they were still living at home but I tried to give good advice about their jobs when they got old enough to work for others. I would tell them to ALWAYS do more than what was expected out of them and that, if they did so, they would never lack good referrals and they would never lack finding a good job.

Why is that so? Because so many others will do ONLY what is expected of them and, many times, not even that! That have settled for mediocrity and, often, these are also the ones that whine and complain about not getting a raise or better jobs. 

My guess (and hope) is that, if you are reading this article, you are not likely a person that would settle for being mediocre and that you seek excellence. Still, be careful and stay aware because it is possible to allow yourself to settle for less or to settle for mediocrity in those that surround us or even in ourselves. 

ALWAYS seek excellence and, as you do so, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

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Are You Giving "It" Your Best OR Is Average Good Enough?

This blog article, the podcast (iTunes & RSS feed) and the video version (Vlog) were all done at separate times, so be sure to listen/read ALL avenues of this topic because each will be unique in it's own right!

AVERAGE.  Average is neither good or bad...it's "in-between". It's just "there". As I read from one person, "Average is the same distance from being good as it is from being bad."

Ouch!

We live in a world that seems to be o.k. with just being "average". Yes, I know that this doesn't apply to everyone. You, for example, don't fit into that category or you wouldn't be here spending the time to read this article. Average people don't do things that require anything "extra" from them. "Above average" people do things that average people will not. It's not that they can't...they just won't. 

Here's the thing: If average people would just keep their "average-ness" to themselves then, as bad as it still would be, the rest of us could just move effortlessly through the quagmire of this affliction. But, sadly, that is not the case. Notice this quote from John Maxwell...

"Average people want you to stay average."

You see, it's not enough for the average person to be satisfied with this being their own downfall. Nope. They don't want anyone else around them to escape from this mind-numbing lifestyle.

This is true of every form of negativity. Negative people aren't satisfied with keeping their negative thoughts and actions to themselves. For whatever reason they feel the need to "spread it" to anyone and everyone around them. It's as if they don't want anyone else being any happier than they are. And, friend, they tend to NOT be happy about anything.

An "average mindset" is also a form of negativity and you MUST be aware of the dangers of spending your time with those with this mindset. IT WILL BRING YOU DOWN AND KEEP YOU WHERE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE!

Yes, it IS that "dangerous" to those that want more, dream more and plan to BE more. 

To change up a famous quote from "Forrest Gump"...."Average is as average does." 

There is NOTHING wrong with striving to achieve more. Think about this...only those who have done so have made positive change in their lives and, in turn, in our world.

Think long and hard about that fact and then also think about this...

Average people would likely not be missed if they were no longer "there". What I mean is this: An average person who does an average job would likely not even be missed if they stopped showing up for work. Why? Because there was nothing special about what they were doing and it is very easy to replace average with another person that seeks nothing more than just being average.

That's really very sad, isn't it? 

Rather, “Be so good they can't ignore you." - Steve Martin

It's YOUR move, friend! Don't settle for less because YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE!

Until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

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