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Why are you here? What gets you out of bed in the morning? Are you excited? How are you expressing your inner fire through your daily actions? A clarity of purpose inspires courage within us to follow our bliss and overcome fears.
Write out a list of things you do on a regular basis, both personal and professional, including projects you’re working on. What are your motivations for these activities? Be honest.
Now, test the inventory against the idea that … to avoid mediocrity, you should be giving at least 75% of yourself to everything you do with 100% being the goal, of course. If you’re giving anything on your list less than 75% of yourself, why are you settling? Could you do better? Why or why not? Be truthful. If your answer is a lot of why nots, go back to #1 or check #4.
We are creatures of comfort, and at some point in our lives, we built a view of the world and personal goals that would deliver this comfort, this pleasure to us. For example, you grew up poor, so making money was important to you. Fast forward 20 years, and you have made some money, but something is still missing … that’s because that belief is now a trap. After all these years, that belief has become a part of your identity and since it has always been important, it must still be important. It feels that way. But what if no longer is? What if it morphed in something else? What if it never were, but was only a function of survival and not your true desire? Dig deeper for answers and be aware, the brain can play tricks on us. Something may seem so true, but it isn’t. Don’t be tricked; it will rob you of greatness.
After you have completed these four steps, what concrete action can you take to change your life in a way that would lead to more opportunities to give 100% and less situations where you’re trapped, out of guilt, habit, or fear, and are giving less than you could? Does that mean quitting a job, seeking out a new opportunity, starting your business, writing that book, or seizing a new adventure? Whatever it might be, this is your opportunity to step up and transform your life in a tangible way.
None of us is perfect and giving 100% on a regular basis, or even realising that we’re not, and thus falling into mediocrity, can be hard to both see and remedy alone. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to identify accountability mechanisms that would help push you to function at your 100%. These could be achieved through self-reflection, mentorship relationships, personal and professional development, a partner, and certainly a life coach. Whether you choose one or all of these, remember that the path to greatness is only, truly, possible with others by your side.
Doing what scares us is what makes us great. It forces us to level up.
The question remains: Are you going to settle for mediocrity or pursue greatness?
