The mediocre are always ready to give up because they think they won’t make it. But they have no idea what they’re capable of – Les Brown
Getting Past the Mindset
In his best-selling book, Living Above Mediocrity, Pastor Charles Swindoll makes this memorable observation:
“Those who aim high are strong-willed eagle types who refuse to be bothered by the negativism and skepticism of the majority. They never even use the words let’s just quit! They are the same ones who believe that mediocrity must be confronted. And that confrontation must first take place in the mind, the seed plot of endless and limitless possibilities. Soaring never just happens. It is the result of strong mental effort thinking clearly, courageously, and confidently. No one ever oozed his way out of mediocrity like a lazy slug…Mediocrity is a rut. It confines you like dirt walls . . . and your digging only gives you shovelful after shovelful of sameness.”
Mediocrity is a mindset that chooses to settle for less than what we were created for by God. It’s the attraction to a stagnant way of life by never looking beyond the horizon of their lives to see what’s possible and create a plan. This mindset is averse to growth and prefers to settle for what is and never realize what could be. Overcoming this mindset is the critical link to bringing your dreams and goals into reality through planning and old-fashioned sweat. How can we overcome this mindset?
How to Live Above Mediocrity
To live above the level of mediocrity and sidestep the ruts and shovelfuls of sameness, apply these tips:
Set high goals: Don’t be satisfied with just doing enough. Aim for excellence in everything you do. Goals keep you focused and motivated in a world that is abundant with distractions. The best way to make a goal stick is to write it down and review it continuously.
Be willing to take risks: Mediocrity is often the result of playing it safe. If you want to achieve great things, you need to be ready to step outside of your comfort zone and take some risks. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is a part of life. It’s how we learn and grow. So don’t be afraid to fail; just learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward
Be persistent: Don’t give up on your dreams easily. Mediocrity is often the result of giving up too soon. If you want to achieve great things, you need to be persistent and never give up on your goals.
Be a lifelong learner: The world is constantly changing, and if you want to stay ahead of the curve, you need to be willing to learn new things. Mediocrity is often the result of being stuck in your ways and refusing to learn new things.
Be positive and optimistic: A positive attitude can go a long way in helping you achieve your goals. Mediocrity is often the result of a negative attitude and a belief that you can’t achieve anything significant.
Be surrounded by positive people: The people you spend time with can greatly impact your success. If you want to rise above mediocrity, surround yourself with positive people who believe in you and your ability to achieve great things.
Take action: Don’t just sit around and wait for things to happen. Don’t rest on your laurels. Don’t wait for the stars to align. Taking action leads to growth in your life. A life beyond mediocrity lies on the other side of the action your need to take. It’s never too late to take action!
Final Thought: It’s important to remember that rising above mediocrity is a journey, not a destination. There will be setbacks along the way, but if you keep working hard and never give up on your dreams, you will eventually achieve your goals. Rising above mediocrity is not easy, but it is possible. If you’re willing to set goals, be persistent, be a lifelong learner, stay positive, and take action, your life will never be held by the gravitational pull of mediocrity.
Rising above mediocrity is a journey, not a destination.
Keep on keeping on!
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