mediocrity ~ the state or quality of being mediocre.
mediocre ~ rather poor or inferior.
Based on some interactions I have had recently, which left me questioning just what the frick is happening, I sent the following “Tweet” yesterday:
“You know, there is a tremendous amount of fricken mediocrity out there! But not you, you’re better than that.”
Perhaps, due to the economy (and stress associated with it), I am more sensitive when it comes to my daily interactions? I don’t know…however, I challenge you to keep a running tally one day of the mediocre vs astounding interactions that you have. I bet you the mediocre column dwarfs the exceptional.
But, here’s the thing that really gets me: We encounter so much mediocrity in general that it has almost become the norm.
The truly sad element in all of this is that it does not have to be that way! I am not certain if it has been scientifically proven, but I would like to think that it takes just as much energy to be mediocre as it does to be amazing, astonishing, and fabulous.
This is NOT intended to be a rant. In fact, I’m calling myself out. I have been sub-mediocre on a number of projects that I have going on right now and I need to take responsibility and change that.
How about you? Where do you rank?
(Thanks for reading and have a terrific weekend!)
Yes, I think that it’s theme of the year. I mean, you start off with good intentions and are fired up. Then after about 7 weeks in, you start to hit the barriers that are placed and prevent you from working as fast as you might want to.
I think that’s when you have to reassess, reconfigure and find ways to accomplish your goals by being not just more bold, but more focused and more “on your game.”
Great post to head into the weekend with!
Mark, mediocrity IS the norm.
In terms of Twitter, you’re looking at a bunch of people who have jumped into “networking” because it seems like the right and good thing to do. That’s what we tell people, right? “Get on Twitter, write a blog, build relationships.” Right?
It’s easy, it’s free, it doesn’t take any special intellectual gift to sign up and start using the available networking services.
As such, we’ll continue to see a rise in the number of people on Twitter who struggled to network in 3D and continue to struggle now that they’ve moved online.
The gems are out there though. The fresh, thoughtful, invigorating people who sweeten the entire bushel with bright conversations. They’re out there and they make it all worthwhile. Just keep looking.
My godfather played a large role in helping raise me and helping me get through school. He would always say, “don’t settle for anything less than the best!”
I try to remind myself of that every day in all that I do. Sure there are bumps here and there (that’s life ya know)… But I always step back, take a deep breathe and remember those words.
Thanks for dropping by you guys!
Ron – are we really only seven weeks into the New Year? Man I have got to get my act together…
Seth – true words of wisdom, sir!
Ribeezie – “don’t settle for anything less than the best!” that should be your new tagline.
I think the final straw for me came when I rang AT&T and got what I would define as customer non-service. I asked the associate why my BlackBerry would have internet access for six months and then just stop working all of a sudden. Her reply, and I wish I was making this up, *imagine condescending voice and occassional gum snapping* “I don’t have an answer for that, is there anything else I can help you with today.”
@Mark: WoW! I’m stumped. I don’t know what to say besides “WoW!” and “I’m sorry.” Talk about bad service.
Great post. Have been enjoying reading your blog in general.
I talk with my team constantly about “average” vs. “exceptional” in terms of the service/experience we provide to our customers as well as in all aspects of what we do. Average = adequate = common = passable. Blech. I don’t know about anyone else, but that’s not how I want to spend my time – being passable. I doubt my customers are interested in being treated adequately either.
Exceptional = extraordinary = outstanding = remarkable. Striving to be exceptional, now that’s motivating. Doesn’t mean I’m always that way or that we don’t make our share of blunders, but it really helps to keep us all focused. Plus, beinging made to feel that you are remarkable or worth being treated extraorinarily creates happiness and happy customers are loyal customers.