Don’t be average!

In our journey towards success, we often stumble upon a great obstacle. This great obstacle is our tendency to fit in or to be average. This spirit of conformity is a dangerous one and doesn’t serve us well.

In our society, the average person is not doing well. They are often living hand to mouth and struggling to pay bills. The average person has no savings or investments. They are usually superstitious and don’t use reason and logic to solve everyday problems. The average person has small dreams, if he has any at all. The average person hardly reads any books. They rely on gossip and hearsay for their news. The average person doesn’t think independently. They leave their thinking to politicians, comedians, religious leaders, and other people. The average person is not ambitious. They are not disciplined. The average person is not resilient and will give up at the first signs of defeat.

So the question to you then is, why would you want to be average? There is no advantage to being mediocre in life.

There is an alternative to being average. The alternative is excellence in everything you do. A plumber with a spirit of excellence will clean up the sink after repairing a blockage. He will not tell lies. He will not cheat you. He will show up on time and deliver the work expeditiously. This plumber knows that his work is his gift. He works and studies hard every day to refine his gift. He aspires to become the best plumber in his area. The plumber with a spirit of excellence will know everything there is to know about plumbing. He will work to solve all his client’s plumbing problems and he will charge a reasonable fee for his work. His work isn’t just a job; it’s his calling. This plumber doesn’t just solve problems—he masters his craft and takes genuine pride in his service.

It is very easy to settle for average. Excellence, on the other hand, requires us to be intentional with our work, however trivial it may seem. It’s about making a conscious decision every day to stand out rather than fit in. Whether you’re a plumber, a teacher, a financial advisor, a lawyer, or an artist, adopting a mindset of excellence can transform the mundane into the extraordinary, turning everyday tasks into opportunities for success and satisfaction.

So, the next time you’re faced with the choice, remember: average is the easier path, often crowded and seldom fulfilling. Excellence, though demanding, offers a journey worth taking, filled with growth, achievement, and the true satisfaction of knowing you’ve given your best. Choose wisely.