MEDIOCRITY WON'T GET YOU THERE

After a long hiatus from writing, why in heaven’s name did I choose this instead of a much more entertaining subject appropriate for a come-back? J Well this aside from getting into the joy of writing again is also meant as a reply to the query of a nice young man. He was a houseguest one early evening with other friends my daughter invited over for a modest get-together. You know, when you have young people over as houseguests, be prepared to empty out the contents of your refri-‘gee!’-rator. But I like this gang though -- young, accomplished, happy in their own skins, grounded and secure in their choices in life. Conversation swung from the highly nerdy stuff to the absolutely absurd -- yet all in good fun. Now you may wonder what a mother way past her prime would be doing with young people and young minds even if my own daughter plays host to them. Don’t worry, I didn’t gate-crash nor eavesdropped.J I got invited in with this question --- “Why are some people more successful than others even with the same impressive skills or talents?” The question apparently was so simple (anybody could see that) … it was a cinch doing the answer. But I thought he was fishing for something else. So Okay, Henry (let’s just call him that for this piece) here’s my two-cent worth of contribution to a good cause. …your educationJ

To get my point through, let’s talk about mediocrity first-- average, ordinary, common-place, as Mr. Webster defines it. I cannot understand why some people can be simply content with what they have or are -- who won’t even try to go farther out the door – who are happy in their comfort zone and narrow comfortable niche – who won’t grow – who won’t think outside of the box – who consider limitations as the rule of thumb -- who fear a challenge – who cringe at the thought of failure -- who shudder at the idea of adventure or change. Mediocrity is what happens to skills or talents which one allows to atrophy. No guts, no glory - remember? Mediocrity is being content with average understandably therefore mediocrity would surely be their lot. But, young man, there can’t be and never should be a plausible excuse for it. Nobody should settle for being second-rate when the options are there to become better if not the best.

So then what differentiates a successful person from a mediocre one? It’s motivation, my young friend. I call it sustained passion or zeal. Dreams, ambitions, goals are built on this. This spurs a person to blaze new trails towards his dream. This drives him to pursue opportunities and challenges that further hone his God-given talent or skill to perfection. This serves as stimulus that allows him to go much farther than his peers or equals or even people with vastly superior talent. These are the people who move faster and farther ahead, finish the race, win the prize, reap honor and success. Avid faith in one’s self and abilities gives that person the edge over those who vacillate between can and can’t do. Their passion is what gas is to a car or air is to a balloon. And people who lack this inner drive, motivation, desire, or whatever name you may want to call it -- indisputably will fail to make the cut. Mediocrity won’t get you there. Don’t let this happen. God’s blueprint for your life is one of happiness, achievement, and success. And He gives you all that you may need to make it a reality in your precious life. The rest is up to you.


People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents. -Andrew Carnegie



posted on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 7:58 AM