What makes a person successful?
What makes a person mediocre?
Better yet…what if we changed these two questions around just a bit.
Are you a successful person…or are you mediocre?
The temptation many of us would have when answering this question would be to quickly reply that we are successful…after all no one WANTS to be mediocre.
The problem is…the majority of us aren’t successful, and being successful isn’t easy. It takes a great deal of persistence and consistency to break the ranks of mediocrity and excel to the ranks and likes of the successful.
Recently, while listening to an old recorded broadcast of Earl Nightingale‘s, I heard him say, “It is an unusual person whose desire for success is greater than the distaste for the work involved.”
So here’s an additional question to answer;
Are you willing to put in the necessary work to be successful?
…because success takes work!
That work may come early in the morning. That work may come late at night. To be successful you may find yourself working on holidays or while others play.
Regardless of what it takes…the successful are still willing to step up to the plate.
In contrast, mediocrity is quite simple. All you have to do is just go with the flow. Go to work, punch the clock, put in eight hours and promptly head home…
…and once you are home, you can settle in on the couch and waste countless hours of your time, surfing the internet or watching television.
Then get a good night’s rest and head to work to punch that clock again!
Whew! How exciting!!
It is no wonder so many of us feel slightly unsettled and lead unfulfilled lives.
Now here the kicker…
It has been noted, that the measurable difference between a man or woman of achievement and success, in contrast to a man or woman of mediocrity, is only 2%.
That’s right…only 2%!
A person of success decides to stay at work just a little later to ensure the job is done.
A person of success decides to give extra when getting the job done.
A person of success only feels satisfied when they know they have given their absolute best.
A person of success has a distaste for mediocrity that far exceeds their distaste for hard work.
So now I’ll ask my question again…
Are you a successful person…or are you mediocre?
Be honest with yourself…
…and if you land on mediocre, do something about it today!
After all…the gift that tomorrow brings, is the ability to do the same things we already did, differently and better than we did them yesterday.
Now for those of you who can define yourselves as successful, I’ll conclude this thought with a quote from Elbert Hubbard.
“He who has achieved success has worked well, laughed often and loved much.”
Keep the faith! Keep your vision! Keep walking!!
Let’s murder mediocrity!
About the Author:
Linal Harris
Global Entrepreneur – Certified Life Coach – Media Personality – Speaker
Linal Harris is a global entrepreneur, certified life coach, author, and media personality. As the founder of Inspirational Perspective® Publishing, LLC and Insights 4 Life™ Coaching, LLC, Harris challenges his global audience and coaching clients to Murder Mediocrity® and live their best life possible. Harris concentrates his work as an ontological coach with clients on what he calls the 4 pillars of life; the relationship we have to ourselves, the relationships we have with others, our relationship to work and money, and the connection we have to our spirit and life’s purpose. Harris coaches CEO’s, executives, entrepreneurs, athletes and celebrities. Harris is the author of “Slay Your Goals”, where he provides his readers with scientific and research backed tips for achieving their goals. Harris is an expert goal-setter and has been called upon by Fortune 500 companies to assist with setting their strategic priorities, facilitate goal-setting sessions and provide inspirational talks.
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Truly inspiring! An honest self assesment is always hard to do but often the first step toward correcting error in order to achieve success. As the old school cartoon GI Joe slogan went…”knowing is half the battle”.
Thanks Mike…knowing is half the battle! Thanks for sharing your perspective and your consistent support.
Enlightening, makes you evaluate yourself to see how you measure up on the scale of success! I enjoyed the post.