Unlocking a Remarkable Life: Move Beyond Mediocrity
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If you aspire to lead a remarkable life, it's crucial to stop pursuing a life that is merely normal. The renowned philosopher Aristotle once stated, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” This quote underscores the significance of the small daily choices and habits that shape who we are and the quality of our lives. Just as the pursuit of an extraordinary life can become a habit, so too can the quest for mediocrity.
In a recent episode of the Passion Struck podcast, I discussed how mediocrity can be an acceptable outcome of our best efforts, but it becomes detrimental when we consciously choose to embrace it.
This article will delve into the latter half of that discussion.
What Does Mediocrity Entail?
Mediocrity refers to a state where individuals settle for average performance or capability. It signifies a comfort with doing just enough and a reluctance to strive for improvement in personal, professional, or societal contributions.
Living this way often leads to a failure to reach one's full potential, resulting in feelings of dissatisfaction and stagnation. You might find yourself in an unfulfilling job, surrounded by uninspiring friends, or engaged in relationships that don’t encourage your growth. You may even struggle to navigate daily life, neglecting your health, relationships, finances, and responsibilities to others.
Sadly, many people exist in this state. The primary reason for this mediocrity is ultimately the choices they make. In summary, average choices yield mediocre outcomes.
To achieve success, one must consistently make choices that align with their goals. Unfortunately, many fail to make even good choices daily, allowing mediocrity to take root.
Often, we lack intentionality in our decision-making and instead follow the crowd, leading to a life devoid of fulfillment. This can contribute to widespread feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and loneliness in our society.
In this article, I will outline common habits of those who settle for mediocrity and offer eight actionable steps to help you make choices that lead to a remarkable life, using the inspiring story of renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson as an example.
How Ben Carson Achieved Remarkable Success
Benjamin Carson was born on September 18, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan. His mother, who married young, had only a third-grade education. After his parents divorced when he was eight, he and his older brother lived with their mother, who worked multiple jobs to support them.
Initially, Carson was an average student, but by the fifth grade, he had fallen behind. In a speech at the Perspectives on Leadership Forum, he described himself as “the worst student you’ve ever seen.” With their mother frequently away, Carson and his brother spent their time after school watching television and playing.
Content with mediocrity, Carson’s academic performance declined further until his mother decided to take action. She observed successful individuals and encouraged her sons to adopt their habits. Instead of watching TV, she required them to read two books each week, despite their limited resources, and even instituted weekly book reports to track their progress.
As Carson immersed himself in books about successful people, he realized, “the person who had the most to do with what happens to you in life is you.” This realization sparked his journey toward self-improvement.
His grades began to improve, and he excelled in his classes at Wilson Junior High School. Eventually, he served as a laboratory assistant in his high school’s science labs and pursued his dream of becoming a doctor. Through hard work, he earned a scholarship to Yale University, graduating with a B.A. in Psychology in 1973, and later attended the University of Michigan Medical School.
Despite initial struggles in medical school, Carson refused to succumb to mediocrity and focused on improving his grades. By his second year, his dedication paid off, and he graduated in 1977 as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
In 1975, he married Candy Rustin, with whom he later had three children. They relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, where Carson became a resident at Johns Hopkins University, fulfilling his dream of working in a prestigious neurosurgery department.
By age 33, he was appointed director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins, the youngest in its history. Carson specialized in various complex surgeries, including a groundbreaking 22-hour procedure to separate conjoined twins in 1987.
Throughout his career, Carson held several prestigious positions and received numerous accolades, including being named one of the top physicians and scientists by CNN and Time magazine. He authored bestselling books, established the Carson Scholars Fund, and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine.
After retiring from surgery in 2013, he entered politics, running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2015 and serving as the 17th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 2017 to 2021.
Carson’s journey illustrates that anyone can achieve excellence if they choose to pursue it.
Why is Mediocrity a Choice?
I began this discussion by asserting that mediocrity is not merely a state of being; it is a continuous choice. Achieving success is not a mystery reserved for a select few. It involves cultivating consistent habits that facilitate growth and progress. To achieve breakthrough success, you must establish routines that align with your ambitions.
No one wants to be labeled as mediocre. We all yearn to feel unique and exceptional. However, until you cultivate an environment conducive to excellence, you will continue to make choices that distance you from your aspirations.
Common Traits of Mediocre Individuals
Here are some characteristics often observed in those who embrace mediocrity:
Laziness.
Laziness represents a primary trait of those leading mediocre lives. It manifests as an unwillingness to engage in necessary hard work, opting instead for the easy pleasures of entertainment.
Complacency.
This is the false sense of comfort with one’s current state, leading to stagnation and a lack of drive for improvement.
Lack of Accountability.
Individuals in mediocrity often evade personal responsibility, preferring to blame others for their circumstances.
Resistance to Feedback.
A desire for social acceptance can lead to diminished standards and a reluctance to embrace constructive criticism, which hinders personal growth.
Diminished Self-Confidence.
A lack of belief in oneself fosters an environment where individuals settle for mediocrity instead of striving for excellence.
Poor Environmental Choices.
Surrounding oneself with a mediocrity-focused environment can reinforce a similar mindset, inhibiting personal growth.
Limited Perspective.
Escaping mediocrity requires a shift in perspective towards maintaining high standards and adhering to core values. Embracing a growth mindset can help achieve personal goals.
Eight Essential Strategies for Overcoming Mediocrity
Having identified the contributing factors to mediocrity, let’s explore practical methods for breaking free and unlocking your full potential.
Live with Purpose.
Discovering and aligning with your purpose allows you to make intentional choices that draw you closer to your aspirations.
Be Proactive.
Take control of situations rather than merely reacting. Proactivity enables you to address potential challenges before they escalate.
Welcome Feedback and Criticism.
Embrace constructive criticism to identify areas for improvement and propel yourself toward excellence.
Invest in Yourself.
Continuous self-improvement through learning and skill development is vital in today’s evolving world.
Combat Procrastination.
Identify the reasons behind your procrastination and address them to avoid falling into mediocrity.
Embrace Hard Work.
Recognize the importance of effort in achieving worthwhile goals and commit to working diligently.
Build Resilience Through Commitment.
Success requires persistence and a commitment to breaking free from limiting habits.
Surround Yourself with the Right People.
Choose to associate with individuals who inspire excellence and provide support as you strive for your goals.
Exceptional Choices Lead to Exceptional Results
Jim Rohn once stated, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” Ben Carson exemplified the discipline needed to rise above mediocrity, achieving his goals through intentional choices.
Reflect on your life: have you been making exceptional choices, or have they been mediocre? You were born with unique gifts that only you can nurture. To become your best self, you must abandon the pursuit of mediocrity.
Continuously refine your behaviors and habits to align with your core values and desired identity. Pay attention to the small decisions, as they compound into significant actions that shape your legacy.
In closing, I echo the words of Jim Collins: “Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice.”
Most people opt for average choices and consequently experience mediocre outcomes. If you desire a remarkable life, you must choose to make it happen by being intentional about your decisions.
Do you want to lead a remarkable life, or one that is merely average?
This article is derived from an episode of Passion Struck with John R. Miles. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.
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- Explore my discussion with Sara Mednick, Ph.D. on the impact of downstate on health and performance: https://passionstruck.com/sara-mednick-recharge-your-brain-body/
- Discover effective behavior change strategies in my interview with Katy Milkman, Ph.D.: https://passionstruck.com/katy-milkman-behavior-change-for-good/
- Delve into self-transcendence with David Yaden, Ph.D.: https://passionstruck.com/david-yaden-on-self-transcendence-experiences/
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- If you struggle with prioritizing yourself, explore Episode 104.
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- Strengthen your relationship with your best self in episode 110.