Mediocrity is a nightmare for entrepreneurs. Looking at the definition of mediocrity, we find it says that it is the state of not being very good at something, or just being average.
Average and entrepreneurship are similar to oil and water; they don’t mix.
We just cannot fall into the trap of thinking average is okay.
Today, I am going to give you 4 tips for overcoming mediocrity.
“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.” Fulton J. Sheen
Overcoming Mediocrity Tip #1: Go With Passion And The Money Will Come
I have met people who have a lot of money but are living in mediocrity. They work that 9 to 5 job that they detest but stay with it because the pay is good. And I would wager that their job performance is average or worse.
They are living a life of mediocrity.
But I have also known people who had a passion. They left their decent paying job to follow their passion. People told them there was no money in it and they just smiled and kept striving forward.
They followed their passion and the money came making the people who told them different “eat crow.”
Mediocrity was not in their vocabulary.
“True power lies in our ability to be whole within ourselves. This is how we make a difference. This is how we start a revolution of inclusion.” Renee Raville
Overcoming Mediocrity Tip #2: Goals And Objectives
This is a top tip in defeating mediocrity. When we set goals; when we set BIG goals, we strive to reach those goals and in doing so, we rise well above the mediocre zone. But lofty goals should not be your only focus… Set small goals too!
When you successfully complete those smaller goals that directly relate to the huge goals, you gain bursts of amazing energy.
Objectives… These are the steps to reach each goal.
Let’s say your goal is to gain 200 followers on Twitter in 1 week. Your objectives could be:
- Actively follow 200 Twitter users yourself.
- Share 3 pieces of your own educational content.
- Post 4 images of your business operations.
- Answer any questions or messages from other Twitter users.
“Mediocrity never goes away – but neither, I hope, do those who are willing to challenge it.” Milos Forman
Overcoming Mediocrity Tip #3: Don’t Allow The Majority To Guide You
What would be if:
- The Wright Brothers would have listened to the majority? Would Delta or American Airlines even be in existence?
- Milton Hershey would have listened to the majority and just went back to farming? No chocolate bars?
- Michael Jordan – “You’re too short to play basketball!” That would have hurt several brands… Nike for one.
If we follow the majority’s lead, we are going down mediocrity’s tunnel.
“It is a wretched taste to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us.” Isaac D’Israeli
Overcoming Mediocrity Tip #4: Don’t Accept Mediocrity From Others
Time and time again, I watch as humans accept mediocrity. The steak they ordered comes overcooked and they allow it to pass with fear they will upset the chef or wait staff.
They allow the cashier at the store to not smile and treat them as royalty.
They visit a Doctor who is overweight.
The world is more and more accepting of mediocrity. But I believe if we allow others to serve us in a mediocre fashion, the mediocrity will “creep” into our thoughts and actions.
“But I don’t want to seem like a jerk!”
Neither do I, and you don’t have to.
- With a smile, “I’m sorry but I ordered a medium steak. This is well done; maybe the orders were confused.”
- “Are you having a bad day? I thought we came to (brand store) where all the employees smile and laugh.”
- “Hello Doctor, I came to get a checkup and I was going to ask you about getting my weight to an optimal level, but maybe I should go to a weight specialist.” (Yes, it seems like something a jerk would say, but… Shouldn’t a Doctor practice what they preach?)
If you don’t want to be mediocre, you just cannot allow others to be mediocre in your presence.
“Mediocrity would always win by force of numbers, but it would win only more mediocrity.” Ellen Glasgow
Conclusion
You are not mediocre! Don’t allow yourself to slip into it.
How does Eric know this?
Because you are reading and have read this post all the way. The mediocre person would have jumped to the next website that validates their mediocrity.
Here is another resource to help you rise above mediocrity… I wrote the book To The Top and it will also show you ways to overcome the average. Get your copy here.
Do you have any questions or comments? Post them below, and I will soon see you rising…
To The Top!
