111 – Don’t Settle For Mediocrity - a podcast by Alf Herigstad

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DON’T SETTLE FOR MEDIOCRITY…
Today I would like to talk about mediocrity.  Mediocrity has kind of become an institution in human society.  It is a mentality that permeates all walks of life;  our schools, our work places, our relationships, everything.  Anywhere that people are, the spirit of mediocrity is alive and well. Mediocrity is that thing that informs our subconscious that we don’t need to try harder, that we have done enough.  It informs us that it’s OK if we aren’t the best at something…as long as we aren’t the worst.  Mediocrity has children being happy to have a C average in school, or sit in the back of the class goofing around instead of being interested and asking questions. 
The spirit of mediocrity is what makes you stop running and walk when the coach isn’t looking.  Mediocrity tells thousands of people every day, while they are at their jobs, to do just enough to stay out of trouble…but no more.Mediocrity enters our relationships too…it makes us think that there doesn’t need to be joy, adventure and excitement in our relationships…as long as there isn’t conflict, everything is OK.  As long as everyone in the household is doing their chores and the bills are getting paid, every things alright. 
But it’s not alright, what I’m telling you today is that mediocrity is not OK.  There is more to life, much, much more than just getting by.  There is more to life than merely existing from day to day and telling yourself its OK because there are people worse off than you.
To be mediocre, to be average, to be common, has become acceptable these days.  Children are being raised in mediocre homes with mediocre families, in mediocre communities, who enforce the belief in them that they are not special…they are just average, and thats OK.What I’m saying is…that it’s not OK.  I contend that no human being has to settle for mediocrity, that it is a choice, a state of mind.
I’m a stickler for accuracy and I have to admit that the word average is not entirely relevant to what I’m talking about, because there will always be an “average”.  For example, among all Olympic sprinters there is going to be someone in the middle of the pack, someone in the lead and someone in the bottom, even though they are all incredibly fast. Average, technically only means the center, or typical value in any set of data. So in every facet of existence there are averages.
However, there is a big difference between acknowledging the fact that an average exists…and being OK individually with stopping there.I can already sense that some of your hackles are starting to rise up…I can feel the excuses starting to form already, some of you may be feeling defensive because you think I’m saying that everyone has to be some kind of superstar, that everyone has to be exemplary in every way.  Well, relax, because I am not saying that at all.
Look, I’ll use myself for an example.  There are several areas in which I am average; I have never been a fast runner…my body isn’t built for that, I’m an average runner.  Nor am I particularly good looking…I’m not hideous, but I’m not a movie star either…so I’m about average there.  There are some things I’m well below average at as well; technology for example and synchronized swimming.  Having said all that, the important thing to note is that I do not think of myself as average or mediocre in any way, shape, or form…and neither should you.It’s not the things we are average at that should define us, rather…it’s what we do with the things we have an aptitude for that matter most.
I believe each one of us were born with certain gifts and aptitudes.  Things we are a little better at than most people.  Likewise, all of us have a choice wether or not to do anything with those gifts and talents.The message of this episode is about the mentality of mediocrity.  There are people who have wonderful gifts and talents they...

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