#27 - Why average isn’t enough
In all honesty, I hate “average.” I don’t want to be “average,” I don’t want to see “average” sites, or be an “average” friend, team mate, or competitor, I don’t want an “average” heart (literally or figuratively), and I don’t want to live an “average” life. Is average overused? The word itself maybe not—but the action? Definitely.
Most people don’t get the things they want in life simply because they haven’t taken the time to decide what’s actually important to them. Most teens spend more time watching TV and playing video games than sleeping. Most people want more of something (and a lot of them will complain about it) but then continue to put forth the average amount of effort to try to get it. Just writing the last few sentences leaves a sour taste in my mouth and I hope it does for you too. If I am unwilling to put in above average effort on something, it either a) isn’t actually important to me b) I am being average. If something is actually important to you, why wouldn’t it be worth it to give above average effort to achieve above average results?!
Think about something that you are passionate about. Would you be content with average? Are you satisfied with the average equipment, the average level of effort, and average results? If so, you need to seriously ask yourself if it’s something that’s actually important to you. If not, then fine be average—expend your energy on something you actually want.
The other thing I don’t like about average is the metric it provides. “I’m an above average speller.” What does that really mean? Does it mean that you’re better than only 5 out of 10 people (all of whom are terrible spellers)? I could say, “I am an above average reader.” Well, the “average” American reads about one book per year so I could be reading only two. The problem is, what am I really measuring? I can be above average and still be mediocre, passively letting my potential go to waste. If reading is important to me, I should be a way-above-average reader! One of my good friends decided he wanted to try finding his reading potential he set his book reading goal for the year at 120 books (that’s 120 times the average!!). I don’t know if he is still on track but I do know that he beat the average many times over within the first month or two.
I believe that average is an epidemic, that people give average effort and hope, or even expect above average results. Blind luck may happen, but effort and desire provide far higher odds. Don’t sit around wishing that something would happen, find a way that you can get an edge—how can you alter your behavior in order to get what is important to you.
If you aren’t sure of what you are really passionate about, just pick something and see what you can do with your best effort in a few days, I think you’ll be surprised. Did you know that reading only 5 hours per week for 5 years on a specific topic can make you a world-class expert on the topic. Why don’t more people do it? Because the average level of effort is one book per year. The same concept applies to sports. What kind of free-throw percentage would the average person have? Can the average person even run a mile?
What I want to leave you with is the desire to chase your potential instead of “average” or “above average” results. If you actually want it, if you have a talent for it, if you are passionate, or are adventurous, try giving your best instead of your average. Post to social media what you will give your best in and use the hashtag #advancingdaily