On the other hand I think we all have areas where we don’t develop as much as we could but… I find it effective to develop and push myself in the areas I enjoy.

Gene

My boss asked me to paint a holiday mural across two big windows in our highly visible upscale store. I’ve been an artist all my life, but many things about this project were different: the scale of the drawings, new medium, the semantics of painting on glass (I essentially needed to paint in reverse so that what shows on the outside is correct). And, I’m scared of ladders. And, everyone walking and shopping along the street could see everything I was doing…I don’t much care to be the center of attention. And, I had to design the characters in the mural in one night.

Any of those aspects could have caused me to say No, I don’t care to try this. But I jumped at the chance, and the mural is coming out GREAT! I can’t believe someone is paying me to paint all day! And you know what I get to do tomorrow? PAINT ALL DAY!

Some days are better than others…WAY better than others…a million reasons to not do it, but I took a chance and swung for the fences. Granted, it also helps that I have a boss for whom failure is an option, that takes some of the pressure off. But let’s be real: the pressure that makes one say No when opportunity knocks comes from inside.

May your days be merry and bright…
Michele

“When is the last time you did something for the first time?”

I watched intensely the other night as my son read a little book to me. How he labored at sounding out each word.

Not once did he say, ‘I quit! I’m a failure! I’ll never read!’

Not once. He just kept plugging along, determined to finish the book.

My word, what an amazing lesson.

Namaste’

Jhanna Dawson

I do not now or have I ever had patience / tolerance for mediocrity. I only find that at this stage of my life, it has worsened!

Thanks Randy!

KN

Great stuff… I so often refer to my nutrition shake, Full Strength as “The Antidote to Mediocrity.” It’s about everything but being ordinary.

Your point is also straight inline with the problem with “health” I’ve uncovered. It’s absolutely true that to MOST people health is defined, subconsciously, as “the absence of illness or disease.”

It’s just as it’s defined in many dictionaries–not being sick. Hence, health is less the presence of fitness, energy, strength, capacity than the absence of illness… and that’s sick.

To me, in my book, Strength is not just physical but Intgeral: Of Body, Mind, Soul… Strength is an abundance of health, energy, vitality and the capacity to make an impact in the world.

To me, Strength is the new standard for those who wish to live above average lives, free from mediocrity.

Thanks for getting my on my soapbox this morning!

In Strength,
Shawn Phillips
author: Strength for LIFE
Creator: Full Strength Nutrition for Men

The quote in chapter 1 of my last book, Strength for LIFE:

“If we are strong,
our Strength speaks for itself.
If we are weak,
words will be of no help.”

- JFK

I know people who are stuck and are comfortable there. They actually resist change. I am not comfortable in mediocrity and sometimes just need to figure out the next step, plan or challenge. I have had successes & failures. Just learn from the failures & move on. Have a plan “B”…and maybe even a plan “C” or “D”. The end result is the goal & how we get there may change.

You need a dream first to take the steps to reach it.