You’re Not Here to Be Average

In the early 2000s, I worked for a company where one of the messages the leadership team drilled into our heads was: 

“You’re not here to be average.”

The products we sold were not average. 

The sales team was not average. 

The owner of the company was not average. 

And these were good things. 

I loved hearing this message over and over again because it helped me when times got tough, as times did then, and as times do now.

As a new year begins, reminding myself that I’m not here to be average helps center me.

It guides my goals.

And it works.

It keeps me focused on things that add to my experiences. 

It helps me say “no” quickly and without remorse to things that are distractions at best, momentum killers at worst.

Taken a step further, here are five thoughts on rising above average, inspired by the author and online businessman, Ramit Sethi. If you haven’t heard of Ramit, he’s the author of the best selling book, I Will Teach You to Be Rich. He has also built a sizable online business based on that book.

Here’s what’s on the list:

-The rarest thing in the world is a strong point of view

-You’re not trying to serve everyone, just the right people

-There’s always room for the best

-Creating a real business should be hard and it should take time

-Choose your heroes carefully

What stands out for you on this list? 

I like all of them, but the first one is particularly striking.

Having the courage to develop and stand behind a strong point of view is not easy.

Neither is committing to an extraordinary life.

Not being average requires thinking and paying attention.

It also requires work.

Work I’ll gladly do because it means I’m not wasting my time on things that don’t matter. 

Success and extraordinary experiences don’t come out of nowhere.

And they certainly don’t stem from anything average.

How will you rise above average this year?