Why do many of us settle for less than we think we deserve? This question is relative to so many areas of life, but I’m talking about ambitions.
Coasting in life or doing enough to get by are two of the many reasons we settle. Maybe some people don’t believe in themselves or think they deserve the things they seek. Perhaps many of us lack the oomph to go the extra mile, don’t like being in the fast lane, or can’t handle the stress and challenges of competition.
Who says one has to reach the top rung on the ladder, the top of the mountain, or always give their best effort no matter the task?
If the achiever shuns climbing ladders, mountains, or doing their best to succeed, there may be a tendency towards accepting less or mediocrity. Mediocrity is the stuff of shallow dreams, self-doubt, and few tries.
Being mediocre is doing less than expected or a second-rate performance.
People say you get what you work for. Isn’t getting what you work for the same as getting what you pay for? That’s assuming what’s paid is the energy, effort or invested work—also called sweat equity.
In this instance, an item’s price or investment is relative to its durability and value. Anything purchased for a cheap price isn’t thought to be very good. Suppose that cheap bracelet purchased from the thrift store broke after wearing it one time. You know what they say, “You get what you pay for.”
Just as you can pay less and expect good quality, you can also achieve less and fall short of satisfaction and other internal rewards. People who give 110 percent usually earn more than those who give 80 percent of their time and effort.
More importantly, people who give 110 percent do their best for self-satisfaction.
We know that some people have no problem with mediocrity because they can always say, “I could’ve done better if I had really wanted to.”
When mediocrity is our game, we know who to blame, and there’s no reason to complain.
To avoid mediocrity, we must be energized, inspired, and committed. The following are several other considerations.
We must have a realistic or rational view of our abilities and talents.
Take responsibility for improving efforts, knowledge, planning, and achieving ambitions.
People who have the skills and abilities but perform at a lower level are underachievers. The term is pretty self-explanatory. Underachievers are not only trying to slide or get by with doing less; some also have low self-esteem and tend to be disappointed with themselves.
If someone’s self-assessment is that they can do more, they probably can. The proof is in trying to do one’s best. If there’s a lack of motivation, we can always dig deeper to acquire it.
Money isn’t always the greatest motivation; self-gratification and validation of success are also good.
Self-interest and satisfaction are more important than the expectations that others have of us.
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo
Be safe.