Escaping Mediocrity

You’re a true pioneer and leader, Sarah – so glad you’re asking questions and exploring and not settling for the “prevailing mindset” and status quo!

Awesome post Sarah!! Such a needed perspective.

When my book comes out this year, you’ll see that you and I share many of the same thoughts. I can’t stand carbon copy entrepreneurs. Dealing with the service end, you wouldn’t believe (or, you probably would) the number of requests I get to “make my ezine look like this one” or “copy this person’s sales page.” I often refuse to.

If we don’t push ourselves to develop our own authentic voices, ideas, opinions and way of doing business… why are we in business? We should just go work for a company that prides themselves on churning out the same dull crap day after day.

Keep writing this stuff… It’s solid.

Erin

It is so refreshing to read this. I have struggled with this – getting coaching to do things that just don’t feel right for me. I wonder sometimes am I just stuck in some way that I can’t bring myself to “do that” what ever “that” might be? Am I just determined to make things harder than they have to be? I have appreciated the people most who have been willing to explore the thinking rather behind the methodology rather than push me to mindlessly replicate the action.

Learning from what is working for others and integrating that learning into what you do to the extent it makes sense is smart in my opinion. But I don’t believe mindless imitation is the path to success because I think you lose the very thing that makes your offers distinct – you. So for now I am sticking to my belief that I can learn from the masters but, in the end must chart my own path.

Preach it, girl!

Doing something just because that’s how everyone else does it is stupid. This is not The Wall, we’re all different people, with different ideas, different thoughts, and so on. Some people play it safe, and some people take risks. There are positives and negatives to both sides, which you will never hear people firmly on one side or the other say.

Like you have said in an earlier post…failure sucks…but you can learn from it, sometimes more than success. But just because someone else failed at doing something, that doesn’t mean that you are destined to do the same. Maybe they suck at it, and you don’t.

In the long run, you will know that you did the right thing, and THAT is what is the most important.. Maybe this is what you were supposed to have done from the beginning, and a previous venture gone too long would have kept you from this here.

Awesome post, Sarah. And I really believe that this goes so far beyond business. Status Quo is by definition mediocrity. It’s what anyone can handle, whether they care or not; it is not challenging and doesn’t reap exceptional rewards.

I’m not going to pretend to have *that* much experience so far in life, but I can say that the decisions I’ve made that challenged conventions the most are the ones I appreciate the most. Things like leaving college to start a company, sleeping polyphasically, not eating meat for a year, refusing to do freelance; these have had business implications but more than anything they’ve shown me the beauty of trying things and given me an unwavering peace of mind.

The keystone in this discussion, to me, is awareness. Awareness is hard work but the only thing that can truly help us decide whether to accept or reject status quo. Being aware enough to imitate what truly works gives us the space to focus on innovating what really doesn’t.

Thanks for this article, Sarah!

-Nicky

I couldn’t agree more, It makes me feel quite ill when I think about what I would have missed out on if I’d settled for the status quo…the experiences I would have forfeited, the people I would never have met, the things I would not have learnt…the whole thing is a nightmare…I’m so appreciative of the opportunities that not settling has provided me with that it’s worth any transient insecurity…another great post…thank you for the inspiration you give me to reflect…

Hi Sarah – its dead simple CONVENTIONAL WISDOM is often wrong – take the advice of modern day teachers in Freakonomics who simply say ‘conventional wisdom’…well ‘We liken conventional wisdom with convenience” or how about the brilliant John Eliot “Anyone who strays too far from the majority view or the conventional wisdom is bound to be labeled “arrogant,” “a maverick,” “a Wildman,” “weird,” or even “crazy.”AND Rumi the great Sufi Poet said “Conventional opinion is the ruin of our souls” ENOUGH SAID? I think not – our modern day thought leader and my personal Favourite is Jonathan Fields, in Career Renegade who says “conventional wisdom is actually a great asset. It thins the heard of competitors, leaving only those who choose to blaze their own path, rather than follow another’s. it creates space for those who lead with passion to truly shine.” Ha – so true and so akin to your great post – and why you help us esacpe from being average.

Colin

Maybe the woman who said that was thinking of the danger of change for change’s sake. I am only 46, not old by any means (!), but I can see that I sometimes become so intrigued with creating the new and improved, celebrating the unique, and relishing the “Ah, now that’s better!” moments that I miss opportunities to honor the good, the grace and the worthiness in things…even people…just as they are. I am learning that sometimes, the cookie cutter was created with wisdom and love, and replicating it not only makes really great cookies, but honors the cookie creator who came before me.

It all goes back to that “time for every purpose” idea. There’s a time to rush over the edge to prove a point. There’s ALWAYS time to stand up to mediocre minds that peddle intolerance and injustice. But there are also times to acknowledge that something may not require our special brand of improvement. And that’s not bad. It just means that we can shift our focus to the areas of our lives where our influence matters more and matters most.

LUV IT!!!!
#DontStand4Mediocrity

Sometimes, we just have to screw up our courage and try something. Everyday I ask myself this questions at least once: “What is the worst that can happen?” If I answer that question honestly and not with my wild imagination, the worst case scenario is usually pretty manageable (and rarely, if ever, comes to pass).

Your are SO right Mark. I am a big advocate of studying history so that we don't repeat someone else's mistakes. Which usually means taking a different route to get where we want to go. Plus, using the lessons of others can make the trip a whole lot easier. My favorite part of your comment: “But just because someone else failed at doing something, that doesn't mean that you are destined to do the same. Maybe they suck at it, and you don't.” Just awesome.

For me, breaking out of the status quo has made my life richer and more meaningful than I could have imagined. And the people that fill it are so amazing, I get teary with gratitude. Thought the price tag for entry may seem high, I'm am ready, willing and able to pay it each and every day.

Anyone who strays too far from the majority view or the conventional wisdom is bound to be labeled “arrogant,” “a maverick,” “a Wildman,” “weird,” or even “crazy.” So THAT's why people look at me strangely!! Thank you Colin. With you as a compass, I know I can't go wrong.

Thank you Deb! #anexcellentuseofhashtags

I think Edison failed AT LEAST 100 different ways. And he never stopped. He was driven by desire and by passion – and that makes a difference. Oh – and what was it Henry Ford said? Something like “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said 'a faster horse'”. I love that.

Someone wise once said that if you are a true leader and innovator, people will criticize you. They’ll attempt to tear you down. People are afraid of change, which is why we maintain the status quo. You, Sarah, will be criticized. You will be shocked at people you admire telling you you’re wrong. But you’re not wrong. They’re scared and envious. Keep pushing forward. One day at a time you’ll help your tribe, who will help their tribes, escape mediocrity.

The thing is, the big names always talk about how they stepped out and did something differently, something that made them rise above the rest. And then they turn around and tell people to buy their system and do it just like them. That simply doesn't make any sense. Of course we absolutely should learn from those who have gone before us, but we also need to be smart enough to think critically and confident enough to push back when something rings false for us.

Love love love this Sarah Especially this line “And one of the well-known, talented and successful people looked at me and said, “But if it works, why change it?” I really appreciate everything you wrote here. We humans have this thing called mirror neurons (brain cells. we're wired to mimic each other in all kinds of ways) and it requires CONSCIOUS EFFORT to create and innovate. Can't wait for more – keep writing woman!

Love love love this Sarah Especially this line “And one of the well-known, talented and successful people looked at me and said, “But if it works, why change it?” I really appreciate everything you wrote here. We humans have this thing called mirror neurons (brain cells. we’re wired to mimic each other in all kinds of ways) and it requires CONSCIOUS EFFORT to create and innovate. Can’t wait for more – keep writing woman!

Seriously awesome post Sarah! It’s this kind of writing that makes me want to visit your blog all the time.

When I was preparing to ‘launch’ my Home Office Fitness program I had several well respected and successful marketers trying to persuade me to go the route of Risk Free Trial where my customers would pay a small fee $1 and would automatically be placed into my membership site where they could cancel at any time.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of this marketing tactic and when I try to craft a sales letter where I explain that they can cancel anytime I feel sleazy. It simply does not resonate well with me, my values, and the way I prefer to do business.

They were all saying, “but it’s a proven and effective model”. Yes it is. It’s made people a boatload of money. But I’m not all about money. I want to feel good about everything that I do and keep my integrity in tact. Can you have a Risk Free Trial and still keep your integrity… of course. But as I’ve said, it just doesn’t feel right to me.

So instead I charge a flat one time fee for the first month of my program. If they like it and want more of it they can ‘join at any time’ instead of ‘cancel at any time’.

This model resonates better with me and my customers really enjoy it. I don’t feel like I’m tricking anybody which is very important to me. Plus it’s a model with a lot less support issues.

I’m not seeing many people using this model, so I guess this means I’m escaping mediocrity

The greatest gift that we have is our own unique identity. It’s a shame to see people throw away that gift just to be like someone else.

Thanks for yet another great post Sarah!

Scott Tousignant