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Escaping Mediocrity

Posted By: Randy GageNovember 30, 2009

Happy Monday!  I know it’s going to be a great one.  The other day we talked about how I felt most people didn’t do enough.  I think they get stuck in a rut of habitual thinking and boring, safe routines.  They almost never challenge themselves and break out to do great things.

Do you realize that many people go their entire adult life and never try this once?

Or they tried some great things as a child or teen and failed.  And probably faced derision or ridicule, or even condemnation.  So they learned to lay low, blend in, and become average.

Which is another way to say mediocre.

The difference between mediocrity and greatness is your willingness to attempt great things.  And to be willing to fail at them.  For it is in striving and sometimes failing at greatness, that great character and ultimate victory are won.

So how are you doing on that?

-RG

20 comments on “Escaping Mediocrity”

  1. Achieved some and still going for goals that I know for a fact that may will not risk going for in case of failure and in caf what people might say.

    Watch this space for some spectacular and celebratory victories, soon!

    KH

  2. You hit it right on the head with this one Randy.

    In my life, I can't even count how many times I've failed - but what separates me and other successful people from the rest is that we are willing and able to do what it takes to get back up, dust ourselves off, and keep going UNTIL we find success in what we're doing.

    No matter HOW hard it is or how long it takes.

    As they say...the road to the top is usually when you'll be happiest!

    Jeremy Reeves
    http://www.ReevesCopy.com

  3. I'm stepping out there in the business area of my life. Need to look at other areas of my life as well.

    I know I'm meant to achieve great things so that helps me to do things that others aren't willing to do, knowing that if I don't do something different than "they" are doing, then I'll just continue to live like "they" are living, which is not what I'm meant to do either. 🙂

    Laura Jo

  4. I agree randy.....
    At times I always have to look at myself, and ask if I am subconsciously holding on to my comfort zone, or if I am willing to let go to try new things...
    Its a never ending self examination process I believe.
    Thanks for this post! 🙂

    Ade

  5. Randy, I think that alot of mediocrity is based in a person's "set point". I know that "fear of failure" AS WELL AS a "fear of success" have played a role in my life of "layin' low". I have (and I think most have) had "flashes of brillance" - which seem to be uncomfortable for me, for whatever reason. I have had some low lows in my life, but as I think of it now, seem to have more of a fear of success than failure. My oldest daughter is a person who "goes for greatness", with little regard for what the rest of the world thinks. There goes those darn kids of mine again...teaching me way more than I am teaching them, it seems! LOL. BTW, great topic, as mediocrity is probably the single biggest problem today...being happy for your lot in life.

  6. I agree completely-I find myself in that position-I have a positive attitude, but I seem to be in a "funk"trying all different methods to attain success-working on the internet, to break free, and it just doesn't seem to jell. I read all sorts of inspiritional material, meditate, and I have someting blocking my achievement goal-open to all suggestions on how to attain the goals I am seeking

  7. Kudos Randy!

    I have strived in my adult life to not be one of the "herd" but to be an individual, me.

    I feel the media is constantly attempting to "group" us for marketing purposes. I realize that we all share some commonalities but just as no two fingerprints are alike no two people are alike.

    Each one of us can have our own dream and make our dream come true!

    ~ Dorene Pierceall

    "Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth." - John F. Kennedy

  8. Doing pretty good, need to take it a step further...So I have decided to make a short movie and an audiobook!

    Good post Randy, I hope this inspires people to get out of their box and go for their dreams, after all, living with the herd is anti-prosperity. That person could have the idea that changes the world, but instead they are part of the herd in their lazy boy with a beer in front of the TV!

  9. I've been escaping mediocrity for as long as I can remember. Maybe it is a never ending process.

    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.

  10. Great JFK quote, he's one of my heroes and an icon for avoiding mediocrity.

    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

  11. Randy,

    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

  12. God must love mediocre people - since he has created so many off them - so let us love mediocrity for a moment ... or just to feel the difference between being dead or alive ! please send me some nutrition

    KN

  13. My FB quote:
    Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.~Albert Einstein~ | Prejudices are not just racial, but financial as well. Break the hereditary prejudices & change your future / generation!

    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!

  14. One of my favorite thoughts I ask people:

    "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

  15. Hi! A very appropriate topic for my day...I bit the bullet and did something new, and felt fantastic all day!

    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

  16. I believe im on the right track....I m into MLM now as I work in my employment. I am buying silver coins. Im one of the speakers in my MLM co. where so many people afraid of public speaking...im into your blog learning new ideas...im into daily 30 mins mediation and reading of success books....
    Yet I want more...

    Gene

  17. Sometimes I used to wish that I was one of those people who is happy to just cruise along. It can be exhausting always pushing yourself. On the whole though it is far more exciting and I forgot what my comfort zone looks like a long time ago.

    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.

  18. I've failed more than I like to admit, but I think a big part of my character is that I flat out REFUSE to be average - and I keep on striving to achieve. It's too easy to roll over, play dead, and simply exist in this world. God gave us much more potential that that ...

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  • 20 comments on “Escaping Mediocrity”

    1. Achieved some and still going for goals that I know for a fact that may will not risk going for in case of failure and in caf what people might say.

      Watch this space for some spectacular and celebratory victories, soon!

      KH

    2. You hit it right on the head with this one Randy.

      In my life, I can't even count how many times I've failed - but what separates me and other successful people from the rest is that we are willing and able to do what it takes to get back up, dust ourselves off, and keep going UNTIL we find success in what we're doing.

      No matter HOW hard it is or how long it takes.

      As they say...the road to the top is usually when you'll be happiest!

      Jeremy Reeves
      http://www.ReevesCopy.com

    3. I'm stepping out there in the business area of my life. Need to look at other areas of my life as well.

      I know I'm meant to achieve great things so that helps me to do things that others aren't willing to do, knowing that if I don't do something different than "they" are doing, then I'll just continue to live like "they" are living, which is not what I'm meant to do either. 🙂

      Laura Jo

    4. I agree randy.....
      At times I always have to look at myself, and ask if I am subconsciously holding on to my comfort zone, or if I am willing to let go to try new things...
      Its a never ending self examination process I believe.
      Thanks for this post! 🙂

      Ade

    5. Randy, I think that alot of mediocrity is based in a person's "set point". I know that "fear of failure" AS WELL AS a "fear of success" have played a role in my life of "layin' low". I have (and I think most have) had "flashes of brillance" - which seem to be uncomfortable for me, for whatever reason. I have had some low lows in my life, but as I think of it now, seem to have more of a fear of success than failure. My oldest daughter is a person who "goes for greatness", with little regard for what the rest of the world thinks. There goes those darn kids of mine again...teaching me way more than I am teaching them, it seems! LOL. BTW, great topic, as mediocrity is probably the single biggest problem today...being happy for your lot in life.

    6. I agree completely-I find myself in that position-I have a positive attitude, but I seem to be in a "funk"trying all different methods to attain success-working on the internet, to break free, and it just doesn't seem to jell. I read all sorts of inspiritional material, meditate, and I have someting blocking my achievement goal-open to all suggestions on how to attain the goals I am seeking

    7. Kudos Randy!

      I have strived in my adult life to not be one of the "herd" but to be an individual, me.

      I feel the media is constantly attempting to "group" us for marketing purposes. I realize that we all share some commonalities but just as no two fingerprints are alike no two people are alike.

      Each one of us can have our own dream and make our dream come true!

      ~ Dorene Pierceall

      "Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth." - John F. Kennedy

    8. Doing pretty good, need to take it a step further...So I have decided to make a short movie and an audiobook!

      Good post Randy, I hope this inspires people to get out of their box and go for their dreams, after all, living with the herd is anti-prosperity. That person could have the idea that changes the world, but instead they are part of the herd in their lazy boy with a beer in front of the TV!

    9. I've been escaping mediocrity for as long as I can remember. Maybe it is a never ending process.

      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.

    10. Great JFK quote, he's one of my heroes and an icon for avoiding mediocrity.

      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

    11. Randy,

      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

    12. God must love mediocre people - since he has created so many off them - so let us love mediocrity for a moment ... or just to feel the difference between being dead or alive ! please send me some nutrition

      KN

    13. My FB quote:
      Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.~Albert Einstein~ | Prejudices are not just racial, but financial as well. Break the hereditary prejudices & change your future / generation!

      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!

    14. One of my favorite thoughts I ask people:

      "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

    15. Hi! A very appropriate topic for my day...I bit the bullet and did something new, and felt fantastic all day!

      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

    16. I believe im on the right track....I m into MLM now as I work in my employment. I am buying silver coins. Im one of the speakers in my MLM co. where so many people afraid of public speaking...im into your blog learning new ideas...im into daily 30 mins mediation and reading of success books....
      Yet I want more...

      Gene

    17. Sometimes I used to wish that I was one of those people who is happy to just cruise along. It can be exhausting always pushing yourself. On the whole though it is far more exciting and I forgot what my comfort zone looks like a long time ago.

      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.

    18. I've failed more than I like to admit, but I think a big part of my character is that I flat out REFUSE to be average - and I keep on striving to achieve. It's too easy to roll over, play dead, and simply exist in this world. God gave us much more potential that that ...

    Leave a Reply to gene Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


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