Rising above Mediocrity
- Rekindle your Dormant Passion!
- Welcome to DanielNgari.com
- What does Success mean to you?
- What do you Focus on?
- You reap what you sow.
- What is Kaizen?
- Run your life like a Corporation.
- Financial Freedom Manifesto
- The Amazing Power of Compounding
- Travel Light to Success
- The Law of Giving
- Write your Living Obituary
- Rising above Mediocrity
- Shun Intolerance
- Are you a Prisoner or a Hostage?
Mediocrity is defined as ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding. Being mediocre means lacking exceptional quality or ability. It is where you and I end up by default, without even trying. It does not take much effort to be mediocre. But it does take effort, special skills and discipline to break away.
We live in a society that rewards winners. The winner takes it all in most cases. I am therefore pressing the case that you to rise above mediocrity and become a winner. Be a winner in your chosen field because being second rate does not cut it any more. If you have it in you to be the very best, why settle for less?
In the last couple of weeks, I have been around the Internet and back. I have been on hundreds of websites and blogs reading personal stories and victories. I feel lucky that with a few clicks of the mouse I can read how a lady in Bolivia has overcome insurmountable obstacles in her life and then a moment later watch free video clips of the greatest sports men of all times. We are a lucky generation to have the Internet.
One of the clips I watched recently was “Top 10 Amazing Michael Jordan”. Michael Jordan is one of the best examples of people who have risen above mediocrity and will examine some secrets to his success here today. First enjoy the clip below!
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player and active businessman. He rose above mediocrity to become the best basketball player in history. He did this by training extremely hard, constantly and purposely. He gave 100% to his practice sessions and aimed to become better at every game.
Michael Jordan had many setbacks and failed many times but he never gave up. He pushed himself to be the best physically, emotionally and psychologically. He recognized that success begins in the mind. He knew that practice makes perfect and rose up early each day to practice his game even though he was the best.
As a result of his determination and effort, Michael Jordan accomplishments included five MVP awards, fourteen NBA All-Star Game appearances and many more awards for exceptional brilliance in basket ball. He popularized NBA around the world for two decades and influenced millions.
You can learn and apply the principles of success exemplified in Michael Jordan. You need to choose what it is that you want to excel in and put in the requisite effort to succeed. The rewards of being the best are many. Being second best would not have allowed Michael Jordan to excel beyond the basketball courts. But instead he became extremely successful in other ventures as a result of rising above mediocrity in basketball.
Michael Jordan became financially successful through product endorsements. He is one of the most marketed figures in history. He has endorsed brands such as Nike, Coca-cola, Gatorade, McDonald’s, Chevrolet etc. The income from his endorsements is estimated to be several hundred millions of dollars.
If you become the best in your field of endeavor, you may not be called upon to endorse companies and brands, but you will gain in ways that only true winners do. Being number one in business, your career or in sports will open up many avenues for further success.
Other examples of people who have risen above mediocrity:
You probably know hundreds of people in sports, music, business, career etc that have risen above average to be the best in what they do. Below are three people that I greatly admire for rising above mediocrity and feel that they deserve a special mention here:
Sir Don Bradman
Sir Donald George Bradman, AC (27 August 1908 – 25 February 2001), often referred to as The Don, was an Australian cricketer, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time. Bradman’s career Test batting average of 99.94 has been claimed to be statistically the greatest achievement in any major sport.
Steve Irwin
Stephen Robert Irwin (22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006), known simply as Steve Irwin and nicknamed “The Crocodile Hunter”, was an iconic Australian television personality, wildlife expert, and conservationist. He achieved world-wide fame from the television program The Crocodile Hunter, an internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series co-hosted with his wife Terri Irwin. Together, they also co-owned and operated Australia Zoo, founded by his parents in Beerwah, Queensland.
Bill Gates
William Henry “Bill” Gates III (born October 28, 1955) is an American business magnate, philanthropist, author, the world’s third richest person (as of February 8, 2008), and chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen. Gates was the richest person in the world for 15 consecutive years.
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What stage are you in your life at the moment? Do you consider your abilities exceptional or average? Are you on a comfort zone where you have stopped pushing yourself to achieve and be the best you can be? To be a winner you can not lose sight of the goal and your purpose in life. Do you have clear, written goals and a mission statement detailing your life’s purpose?
Principles of rising above mediocrity:
- Desire / Passion
- Concentration
- Baby Steps
- Build on your Success
- Have a Coach / Master Mind group
1. Desire / Passion
You must know what your passion in life is and be hungry for success in something you are passionate about. Make it clear in your mind why you want it and go for it. You must want to rise above average and have a big enough why.
2. Concentration
It will not happen overnight. You need to have laser targeted focus and concentration on what you want to achieve. You cannot afford to be distracted. Improve your concentration on the goal by using positive affirmations.
3. Baby Steps
Don’t wait for all the information or all the pieces to fall in place. Have a bias for action. Get started towards your goal and learn as you go. Take small steps and improve with time.
4. Build on your Success
Just as Michael Jordan built on his success (and failures too) in basketball you need to learn to build on each success that you have. Accumulate small victories and they will give you the confidence and motivation to take on bigger challenges.
5. Have a Coach / Master Mind group
Just like in sports, you may need a coach or mentor to help you draw out the best of you. Someone who will understand your circumstances, potential and limitations. Get someone you trust and meet regularly. Look for someone with your best interests at heart. You can also have a master mind group of experienced people to guide you.
Summary
Being mediocre means lacking exceptional quality or ability. We have looked at the example of Michael Jordan and how he rose above mediocrity to become the best of the best in basketball. You can succeed in life if you put your mind to it. The fruits of being the best are many. Work hard to be the best in your field.
Sharing: Please use the share this button to send this article to friends you may want to inspire to rise above mediocrity and become the best in their field.
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just stumbled upon the site and the advice is “am lost for words” keep on doin the great job.
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Daniel, this is inspiring. I am requesting you to be my life coach. sincerely
Meli
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Just found this poem/writing and for lack of a better section to post it I choose to post it here in the comments section. Be inspired!
The Desiderata – written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
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Can you be the best in something you were not meant to do? or that was not made for you?
Just something for people to think over coffee.
Finding your life’s passions is one of life’s greatest delights that is the best way in my opinion to give your best. I was watching Chris Rock’s (Kill the messenger) yesterday and he said something. That when you have a career(his is in Comedy) there is no enough hours in the day.Find what you enjoy doing, then you will give your best. Think of all succefull people, there is one thing that stands out.They love..not like, what they do.
We were not all made for books, not all were made to cook, not all were made to lead, not all were made to play sport,not all were made to write but it is important for one to find out what they were made for.
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Thanks Daniel, you have echoed the words of Napoleon Hill in his book “Think & Grow Rich”,quite an inspiring article. Cheers.
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My mentor told me emphatically “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission”. You can’t control what people say or think about you but you can control how you respond. Raising above mediocre mentality is a sign of MATURITY. I remember when i was working part time in a resort in Queensland as a kitchen hand – this was when i finished my first post graduate in Information Technology. One of the waiters told me to my face that she doesn’t think am suitable for any career in life than this. This is what she thinks of me while this is not how i see myself. i see myself as creative, intelligent, innovative and full of abilities. Six years after the event i look back and ask myself whose vision as come to past. This is my advice;
* Self Awareness
* Self Confidence
* Self Esteem
* Self Believe
* Self Accountable
* Self Responsibility
etc.
Good job Daniel. My advice to you is this -watch you back because people will critice you for this wonderful initiative. But don’t worry time will tell
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Dan thank you for the examples u gave. You forgot Obama (joking).. Sometimes in life we have to have examples to encourage us to go on…. That is the gift you gave me on this post.
Thank you.
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@ Nyomi – Thomas Edison created 10,000 duds but eventually made it. Never ever give up.
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Another inspiring, well-written and captivating blog, Daniel. Thanks for sharing more of your wise principles with us.
Ever since I was very young I wanted to be the best at whatever I put my mind to. This has never waived and has, if anything, only strengthened over the years.
I agree with your principles above, and I suggest another one we all know well: persist. Keeping going through tough times, people putting you down/not believing in you etc is vital. Too many people give up on their goals when the going gets tough, when if they persisted they might have achieved them.
Behind many of the highest achievers there are tough times e.g. Thomas Edison created HEAPS of dud lightbulbs before he made on that worked and there are plenty of struggling actors (e.g. Michael Caine and Jennifer Aniston) that persisted through failures in their careers before they reached the big-time.
Keep the ideas flowing my friend
)
Cheers,
Nyomi
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