When I talk of Mediocrity, it’s certainly not about middle-class living or an endeavor to survive and earn bread. Talent, for that matter, is not about stashing millions of green bills or procuring expensive commodities. Mediocrity swamps a person when his thoughts turn mediocre and he starts thinking small and insignificant, defying the urge to prosper mentally and flourish emotionally.
We grew up understanding the nomenclature of society and the criteria for success as a Higher class, Middle class, and Lower class. No one guided me but my naïve intellect branded me as middle class, the ‘Kaam Waali Bai’ as lower class, and the smart girl hopping out of the fiat car into the school, as a higher class. I don’t remember my parents ever telling me that the maidservant was lower class. It was my immature perception conceived through the maid’s humble looks and the quality of her work.
The stamp of our being middle class came into my understanding as I grew up (unlike the rich girl in my class) waiting for the city bus at the crowded bus stand — eating Dosa and Chola Bhatura at small and insignificant joints –watching movies while sitting in the dress circle, not on a balcony — drinking water from an earthen-pot instead of a refrigerator — and feeling all right under the heat spell of a ceiling fan with no concept of air-conditioning etcetera.
Despite our ordinary living, my late parents hammered in me, to refrain from Mediocre thinking. I understood and felt that I was not ordinary, and was good at everything. I sustained excellence because my mom preached – ‘mediocrity is far more costly in the long term than quality.’ This sermon helped me develop a positive attitude. It didn’t brand me as an egotistic or conceited person—Thank God!
“Being economically mediocre may be a compulsion, and is ACCEPTABLE – but thinking mediocre is by choice, and is INTOLERABLE.”
We often meet people with a mediocre way of living but are unfortunately also plagued by drawing happiness and satisfaction from whatever average they have. Well, this is debatable because the people who preach Contentment — the “Santosh Dhan”, would promptly shut me down.
Contentment is an age-related emotion or notion. A young lad in career pursuits or a middle-aged man with professional or business acumen talking about contentment is unbearable and mentally intolerable. If they attain mediocrity in a competitive age, they either have to do something serious about it or be prepared to stand at the end of the long queue. Life is ruthless at times and people can be brutal too. A septuagenarian who preaches satisfaction and serenity is, however, acceptable.
Mediocrity becomes a curse when that person starts brooding and inculcates an even more heinous emotion – JEALOUSY. Mediocrity pays a tribute of jealousy to a Prodigy or the Genius of Triumph. The mediocre person tries to socially propagate his so-called excellence by overplaying his meager accomplishments with hyperboles and baseless overstatements. There is an ongoing tussle of jealousy and wariness as he tries to place himself on the pedestal of a prosperous individual. This has a lot to do with the complexities that he is suffering from. Mediocrity causes unrepairable devastation when it breeds and firmly tries to pull the heart into a comfort zone, making it dull and decadent.
The big question is – What should a person strive for?
Should a sprinter be happy with a bronze medal? – Should Virat Kohli be satisfied with twenty centuries? – Should a surgeon be content with performing a hundred successful surgeries? – Should a student be pleased with attaining 80% marks in the board exams? and so on?
NO! They will be happy if their thought process is mediocre. To excel, they need to think beyond and break the shackles of mediocrity to touch excellence. They have to strive to lead a disciplined life, become iconic producers and be obsessed with mastery.
‘The price of excellence is Discipline: the price of mediocrity is Disappointment.’
Chronic inconsistency is revealed in mediocrity. For supremacy and talent to bloom, consistent focus on the right things and thoughts is the call. Mediocre thinking and a Negative attitude go hand-in-hand.
“Hey Anuj, so how are you going to Delhi?” a friend asked.
“I will be driving down the expressway,” I replied.
“Oh Ok! But be careful, there have been many road accidents reported on this highway.” the friend stated with a stupid gesture.
This is a hell of a negative gesture and a mediocre talk. What would you say?
The mediocre breed pulls everyone down to its level, by feeding them unwanted and inconsequential suggestions and ideas. Such people in a way surrender to improvement and even fail to give themselves the best possible chances of success. They are just leading a mundane life doing what needs to be done without the intention of excelling or going beyond.
Someone rightly quoted – “Beware of the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you will suck forever.” The irony is that the more you tolerate mediocrity, the more of it, you get.
Mediocrity is not in the genes. It is an attitude and perception that grows with age becoming the worst enemy of prosperity. It nurtures us through the small choices we make in day-to-day practice and living.
“Mediocrity stinks while Talent and Genius bloom.” Prodigious and illustrious spirits have always encountered hostility from mediocre minds.
SIX points to annihilate Mediocrity.
*Make an agenda and follow it religiously.
*Indulge in things that no one else is doing (nothing unsocial, of course).
*Kindle the hunger to learn and discover more.
*Make the perfect choices to use and procure money and commodities, without being greedy or selfish.
*Work hard at improving your habits, passions, and hobbies.
*Don’t shut the door to suggestions and wishful recommendations. Let positive people approach you with assurance.
“Stop brooding in the shackles of mediocrity – try to blossom in the paradise of supremacy and talent.”
Remember, life is short – learn to thrive on your skills and self-appreciation. Fishing for social ‘likes’, mundane appreciation, and dull adulation is a stinking sign of mediocrity.
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The blog Mediocrity broods-Talent blooms. Six ways to fight mediocrity reflects persona of a common man. We too were from middle class family and it was really hard to meet expenditure of an english medium school in those days. Nevertheless, an iota of slackness had never hindered our zeal and enthusiasm.. Most of our classfellows were from higher class and were not only well versed with spoken language but were far ahead in mannerisms too. No doubt, , I was never a shinning star as far as academics were concerned, but our aim, primarily, was to do our best not only in exams but also in extra curriculum. A Mediocre can also achieve flying colors if a proper guidance and motivation are enthused at right moment. When I left Haridwar to join DBS college in Dehradun for graduation, it all changed the perception of matamorphing from a mediocre to an outstanding career.The hostel mates studying surged my determination and the result was par excellence. Scoring highest in Zoology and amongst five in botany and chemistry was a big booster and motivation for me to shape my career. At times, talent remain hidden and is at hind sight. It comes to fore by an application of a catalyst. One has to be committed and determined to excel. We have come across many instances when people from poor family top civil services. A talent is like a blooming lotus flower in filth. Too good..
Very rightly said. That’s what I wanted to emphasize. The physical mediocrity doesn’t matter really — your thoughts should not be mediocre. That’s how one excels in all fields and emerges a winner. We are examples of this. We know what our childhoods were but sure enough, we did decently in our lives.
Proud of your achievements Ashok Bhai.
regards.
well expressed