There’s lots of talk in the blogosphere about mediocrity and being remarkable and thank you Seth Godin for creating our standards. Problem is, I don’t think anyone really knows how to rise above mediocrity or even what rising above looks like. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems like to me, most people (especially bloggers) are pretty much pursuing a life less mediocre. Sometimes I get wrapped up in this type of talk where I believe I’m less mediocre than others, but, really, how the hell do I know?
Because, I’m sitting here wondering, time after time, what it actually means to NOT be mediocre. To NOT settle. Because, seriously, that’s a person to person type thing. What I would consider the most boring thing on the planet could be someone’s huge dream and accomplishment. Mediocrity isn’t trendy; it’s subjective. And I can’t honestly say anyone comes to this discussion with an objective point of view.
Was Twitter Should Hire Me a big show of my ascent out of mediocrity? Sure, maybe, yeah. But, it was a big show. And, just because the spotlight hit me for a few minutes doesn’t mean that’s what the rise out of mediocrity looks like. But, I think that’s what we expect out of the non-mediocre. We expect bright lights and all CAPS lock and a sort of boastful view of what it means to stand out.
Here’s what I think a life less mediocre is (or should be). Are you happy at least 51% of your time? Do you feel peaceful and loved and happy and confident just 51% of your life? Then, I think you have risen above mediocrity. I think that we have so many reasons to be unhappy and frustrated about our lives that if we can muster up 51% of goodness, then we’re ahead of the curve. And, even more fantastic if it’s a higher percentage. I can honestly say mine is about 80-90%, but I know I’m above the norm in this.
No big. Just the French Riviera (taken from Nice)
Honestly, I think we get too tied up into what mediocrity looks like, smells like, acts like, that we forget to decide for ourselves whether or not we’re living a fantastic life. Don’t live with regrets. Be honest to others and yourself. Aim for a happiness majority (51%!). And, really, just be your awesome self, do what you do best, and when you have the choice to settle, don’t. When it comes to choosing battles, I’d recommend always choosing the battle over settling. It’s you. You’re all you have. And, damn it, aren’t you worth it?
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I’m aming for authenticity and no regrets. Couldn’t care less whether I’m mediocre or not.
Mediocrity is not doing what you are supposed to be doing. (I really like what Neil says about authenticity.)
Aside from Barack Obama, can anyone name the last 5 recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize? Probably not. You think those guys walk around like “I’m so-and-so, Nobel prize recipient”? No. Because they get it.
Do what heals the ache in your heart. Then it doesn’t matter what other people think.
Nomadic Neil, Hayden — right friggin’ on, dudes. Authenticity, doing not talking. Helping without being asked; passion without thinking about it or seeking a spotlight.
It’s incredible that I talk to you pretty much everyday, and yet your writing is still hugely inspirational for me.
I think mediocre has to do with not being you’re best, it’s like short-changing yourself. Not fulfilling your potential and being true to yourself, desires and what not.
As you said, what’s mediocre for one person may be a high milestone for the next. To me, when I was walking around the library, thinking of what I was going to do about my financial situation and I found that magazine that had your article in it and how twittershouldhireme.com was created, I thought it was genius. Or at least a big show of creativity. But it may not have been big to you. Perhaps you do things like that everyday and it’s mediocre to you because you know you’re capable of so much more.
Indeed.
It really comes down to ourselves, and that we constantly measure our success as it compares to other people. We benchmark ourself to our surroundings instead of focusing on our own accomplishments. At the end of the day, set your own goals, decide on your own “benchmarks”, and bust your ass to get where you want to be for yourself. Surprise YOURSELF – and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing. Thanks for the inspiration. I would say living in Italy doing web design is, slightly above mediocrity. Cheers!
I love this. I’ve spent the better part of this year identifying what to ME is happiness and passion, and now that I’m on the path to pursue it? Yes, I’m happy at least 51% of the time. Probably closer to 85% of the time (and that other 15% isn’t unhappy… it’s just… still figuring a few things out).
Well-stated, lady.
I believe mediocrity is a way of BEING as opposed to DOING. I do not believe that mediocre people are doing less, but I do believe that they are thinking less about themselves. Mediocrity becomes a way of life because of your lack of authenticity to yourself. Mediocrity is born from a lack of purpose and direction which leads to a life without passion. Mediocrity is a choice, one that all of us have the ability to make, but my personal belief is that there are far too many ordinary people in the world, so make a commitment to yourself to become EXTRAORDINARY!
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