Some of us were not raised with a success mindset, and in fact, many people were raised with a mindset that was counter success, and instead considered mediocrity the ultimate achievement.
This "strive for mediocrity" outlook permeates the minds of those who were surrounded by that approach to life. Some individuals possess an inner dream that outshines any formative brainwashing, and I applaud them. Many of us, however, either settle for believing mediocrity is all we can achieve, or we struggle to break the cycle and truly believe we can do - and be - more than that.
Changing an ingrained and subconscious mindset is tough, and there are going to be many struggles that must be endured to see that change through. Even if we understand what is required, execution is often the fail point of many great ideas and efforts. Not just execution, but on-going execution.
Much like losing weight, the road to success can be complicated and there may be many personal patterns, values, and though processes we will unearth in our journey. Sticking to the goal can be difficult, even when you know you've made progress, but the progress isn't showing up in external changes the world can see.
It's in these times when our metal really gets put to the test.
Difficult times can be plowed through. Good times are easy to enjoy. Those times when things are moving like molasses in a Wisconsin winter, however, are challenging to remain focused and moving forward. It feels like you've moved off the walking trail and onto the treadmill - you're putting in effort, but getting no where.
These are the times it is valuable to really look at, write down, and take a moment to celebrate the wins you've had along the way. Perhaps those wins are small, and sometimes they may seem to disappear as quickly as they happened, but they are wins none the less. Take a moment to celebrate how far you've come.
Tools like a critical task list (a favorite is Andy Frisella's take on "Win the Day") can be elemental on staying focused on the bigger goals, and making sure you are moving those needles in the right direction, even when you feel completely defeated. The progress may be so small that each day you really aren't feeling it. Like losing 1/4 pound of weight every week when you have a goal of losing 75 pounds, that 1/4 pound each week feels like nothing, and it's not something you can really see week to week. In less than two years, however, one would have lost everything they wanted to lose.
Recognizing this may not make it any easier to keep pushing forward, however, as long as you DO keep pushing forward, the progress will come. Mediocre people stop. They settle where they are at, they don't see the bigger picture, they give up on the goal because the achievements are hidden in the daily fluctuations of life. Overcoming the mediocrity mindset will require utilizing some tools that change your daily actions, even when your mood gives in to the wrong voices. Actions are what create results, not how you feel about things.
They like to say that it is the "darkest before the dawn." Reality is that it is NOT the darkest before the dawn, it just feels that way because we are worn down and tired and the ingrained voices are screaming to go back to their comfort zone. Recognize this is what is happening, keep touching the big things every day, and eventually the dawn WILL come. Then, when it does, retain that mindset and prepare for the next time darkness comes, and perhaps it will be a more positive experience.
Keep going, pivot when you need to, but don't lose those things that are elemental to who you are. It's worth the fight - stay focused.
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