The Guaranteed Path to Mediocrity (How to Escape)
We live in a time where the expectation is mediocrity.
The majority is content with underachievement, underperformance, and comfort.
The unfortunate thing is that we waste so much of our potential.
That untapped potential leading to constant underachievement is making us more and more miserable.
We know we could achieve more if we tried, but we don’t do it because we fear the uncertainty, failure, and pain associated with growth.
Instead, we distract ourselves with instant pleasures and choose the path of least resistance.
You have to take constant action against becoming mediocre unless you want to:
- Underachieve.
- Fail to live up to your potential.
- Live according to other people’s values.
- Regret not having lived a meaningful life.
This is How You Can End Up Mediocre
To avoid mediocrity, we need to know how we can end up there.
You end up mediocre by not exerting consistent effort toward your goals and not being self-aware of your values.
Also, there are fundamental qualities that a mediocre life has:
- Lack of self-awareness (values, dreams)
- Lack of purpose (vision and goals)
- Constant distraction
- Lack of discipline
- Lack of challenge
- Mental weakness
- Fixed mindset
These traits are the building blocks for a mediocre life.
How to Escape
The solution to escape the average life is simple but hard:
Being self-aware about your dreams and values and consistently working toward actualizing them.
This is a never-ending process of setting a goal, working to achieve it, overcoming resistance, and repeating the process.
It requires dedication, resiliency, and a lot of introspection. It will make you suffer and doubt yourself.
But the pain from growth is much more endurable than the pain of not doing anything worthwhile.
To make this article actionable, here is a bullet list to get you started:
- Write out what you want in life (your vision), and break that down into goals.
- Take consistent action toward achieving those goals (while developing self-discipline).
- When you feel pain and discomfort, lean into it (to develop mental toughness).
- Reflect on your goals, values, and performance (adjust when needed).
That’s it for this week.
I hope you enjoyed it and found value!
Benedek
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