Is Mediocrity Getting Into Your Way?

Is Mediocrity Getting Into Your Way?  Good question BUT quite frankly, WHO cares and WHO bothers to ask that question?  Rarely and hardly any, to be frank about it.  WHY?  Blame it to human nature WHEN we simply shrug off our shoulders.  BUT hey, if we are embracing [even unconsciously] MEDIOCRITY, it goes against the grain, it goes against everything we were taught to believe📗📙📘

Across cultures and centuries, we all witnessed and learned that hard work was valued through and through.  The idea that anyone can succeed with enough hard work forms the backbone of our own dreams.  And surely, our respective dreams have evolved over time and as we speak now, surely we all heard that the concept about dreams has now been associated NOT just with material wealth BUT more in furthering the common good.  Nevertheless, it has always placed a premium on progress, on striving to be better individuals and even as a people💚💛💜

In the most recent times, our own dreams have been more often closely aligned with the kind of economic prosperity required to own a big home, a nice car and even the latest iPhone, with cash to spare for a glamorous holiday every summer.  The catch there is for one to pursue that prosperity in the midst of our capitalist society, anyone NOT born into immense wealth has to work for it.  So, it's least surprising that, regardless of cultures, we all lionize hard work, and that we're raised to earn and achieve as much as we can💦💦💦

From an early age, we are taught that we can be anything we want to be, that with enough elbow grease, we can accomplish grandiose things.  The subtext being that we should accomplish BIG things no matter WHAT it takes to get there.  And for the longest time, I bought into that mindset.  As of 2024, more than three quarters of adults report feeling stressed at work and almost 60% of them experience elements of 'burnout' and another 20% feel that they work in a 'toxic environment❎❎❎

Our takeaway:  Unsurprisingly, studies show that ambitious people did achieve more lucrative and prestigious careers BUT when it came to life satisfaction, the researchers DIDN'T find a strong connection to ambition.  In spite of professional success, 'go-getters' were NOT significantly happier OR healthier than less ambitious people. Problem here can be traced all the way back to MEDIOCRITY especially if it's getting into our way😔😔😔