Mediocrity Monster

Welcome to another episode of halftime Talks. My name is Rahim, Rasul and you’re listening to the podcast, where we recognize that in the middle of your game of life was a, you’re up by 10, or down by 20. Each of us needs a halftime talks, to uplift us, inspire us and challenge us to bring that level of performance that you and I both know it’s going to take to win this game. So besides wanting it to be warm outside right now, everything in life is really, really, really good. There’s so much to look around and be appreciative. And that’s why we begin every episode with a little bit of appreciation. So today, I would like to appreciate that part of our humanity, that part of being human in the 21st century, that allows us to be so curious, that allows us to have access to information that we can learn.

Every day, I go out of my house, somebody says, an author, I could watch a TED talk, I could watch a Google talks, I can read their book, I can watch you too, I can really reach out and grab a piece of anything that I’m curious about is simulated into my daily process and become a better person, just as a result of that. And I fully appreciate that.

Hey, guys, I am absolutely juiced today. I’m really excited about today’s episode today, we’re going to be talking about the mediocrity, monster and, and how that begins to emerge and what we can do to combat its effects. And ultimately, this is hands on socks, we’re about bringing that level of performance, we know what’s gonna take to win the game. And it’s not necessarily always going to show a game time it’s going to show in our practice, it’s going to show in our daily habits, our daily behavior, how we approach adversity, how we approach setbacks, how we’re able to get punched in the nose, and still maintain the discipline to adhere to our plan. And today’s episode is going to be no different. So strapping your seatbelts, open your mind prepared to receive if not to maybe just one idea that can transform your life. Let’s go.

So today’s episode, we are talking about this monster, this monster of a thing, nothing that you’ll find on Sesame Street, or Fraggle Rock, but a monster that lives deep within the back of our mind and only comes out when it’s convenient for itself. And that monster that I speak of is a mediocrity, monster. And when I mean mediocrity, I mean, settling for just good enough, not fully exploiting your capacity, or your talents in a way that the world deserves. This mediocrity monster is a elusive character is a shadowy figure, that whispers in our ears ways that we can pull back on a gas. In a previous episode, I talked about that underperforming voice, and this is no different. Why do we try to keep up with average?

Why do we play to the level of our competition if our competition doesn’t seek greatness, and so I recognize you, you you audience that’s listening, I know who you are. For the most part, I have a sense that we’re kindred spirits, kindred spirits, meaning that if you’re listening this long, if you’ve come back for more than I know, you want something better than you’re currently experiencing. And I’m not saying you’re at the low point. And I’m not saying that you’ve gone well beyond that high point, but you subscribe to unleashing your capacity on the world. And one of the stumbling blocks one of the things that can get in the way of us truly blossoming and flowering to our infinite potential is being convinced that good is good.

Enough. So as I recognize who you are, and I recognize my audience, I know that mediocrity is something that we want to let go of, we will not stand for not this year, not next year or any year in the future. So I asked you, now that I have a sense for who you are, what do you really want? What are you aspiring toward? And if you proceed, right now, with the level of effort that you’ve given us far, what will your outcomes look like? And now, this is a stark, real, maybe a grim realization that you were hoping one day to turn on the gas, when it’s time to play, you’re hoping that you have enough fuel, enough combustion enough thrust, to push you past the finish line.

Now, the only way to truly do that is to play at a high level all the time to compete, and to practice with a level of intensity that you’re able to build the conceptual schemes have what it takes to be success, not necessarily on a fixed functional line, but on a diverse, layered line. So do you think if you proceed right now with the effort, with the value with the skills with the routines that you’re currently doing, that you will meet success? Ask yourself, take inventory, be honest with yourself, nobody’s listening, even I’m not listening to the conversation going on within your mind. And if you believe that there is a inevitable intersection between the level of effort that you’re currently giving, and the outcome, what is the timetable look like?

And can you cut that down in half and cut that half in half and cut that half of that half and half and achieved that? Not necessarily, to get it, but do what it takes to become it. And that becoming doesn’t take time. It’s a choice of resonating with that what you desire. And I know that might be really deep philosophical speak. But in order to even invited, you must become it you must become inviting for to show up. What are those activities, the mediocrity monster will convince you that you are ready. And you know enough as you are. We need to cultivate an environment, a community, a worldview of learning. The second that we park our minds, and are happy with the inventory that we’ve collected so far, we lose a sense of perspective of this infinite, this abundant world so willing to teach us so willing to show us more of our own capacity each day, each hour each minute, each second, that open and receptive mind will allow that mediocrity monster to go play another person’s fits.

So I just don’t want you to take your foot off the gas, I don’t want you to get comfortable playing to the level of your competition. If your competition that you’re playing with right now. Is delist Z list. If you and your peer group are not being challenged, it’s time to raise the ante. Now, being as rebel being this outside of being this disruptive personality, not necessarily in a negative way. But the way that you approach the world, you may find yourself standing on the outside. Now success does not happen in packs. There are not swarms of successful people that come from the single origin points, these communities, these families, unless it’s been endowed generation upon generation, I suspect that you’ve experienced adversity, I suspect that you did not come from the most favorable environments.

I suspect that there was a lot you had to figure out on your own. And if I’m correct with that assumption, then you must realize that some things require a personal journey. Some things people will not understand until you stand in the light of what looks familiar to them. But the journey not everybody’s willing to go on. A lot of people are willing to just sit back and be Happy with the life that they’ve carved. And I’m not saying that life, that life that they’ve carved isn’t good. But is it good enough for you? And I suspect my listener, you guys, it’s not good enough. You want to open up your engine, your twin turbo engine of talent. On open road, you want to see what you’re capable of doing.

You’re wanting to see what you’re capable of being. And that requires you to say goodbye to the mediocrity monster. So I asked you, what bags of ideas? Are you subscribing to? How are you occupying your time? What are you aspiring for each day? How do you measure that progress? I’m not saying it’s easy. mediocrity is one of these funny things that it’s all define through the individual. mediocrity is defined in the eyes of the beholder, in your community and your family in your area in your discipline, you may have already outpaced everyone else, you are so far ahead that you don’t even know if you should continue to proceed on. But there is a part of you if you’re honest with yourself that you recognize that I could give more that I can learn more, be more, do more understand more, add more value to the world.

Nobody wants to be seen as or feel within themselves, that you’ve only reached a level of mediocrity. You don’t want to be that big fish swimming in a pot, small pond, you want to play at the level of the highest competition, you want to not only Chase, who’s the best, but you also want to leave your mark in history. And guess what you’re capable of it, you’re capable of it niche down. And I see H Ed niched down in a very specific area, you’re capable of it. I’m capable of it. Everybody I know is capable of it. But it begins with that that level of radical honesty, that radical self analysis of understanding where you may be giving a little bit up. We see it in the NBA, we see these highly talented individuals playing for above team.

And for some reason or another, that their level of performance reflects the team and system. It is not a function of talent, it is a function of management. It is a function of organization. And I would compel you to see that it’s also the case within yourself. There are there is all star talent sitting right here every day, showing up being focused, being disciplined, but maybe doing the wrong thing, maybe not challenging themselves at the right time. Maybe not having that high level of standards that they’re aspiring toward, they may be looking to the left and the right of them seeing what everybody else is doing. Knowing that they can keep up with that and believe in key words, believing that that is enough. There is no blueprint on high levels, sometimes you’re going to have to swim a little bit into the deep section away from the rails to truly understand what you’re capable of.

I know one thing, there is not a crowd on the leading edge. Innovation advancement does not happen in packs, it happens in pockets, pockets of individuals who dare to challenge the standard of mediocrity and take it into the future take it into new levels of possibility. And that possibility is possible by you. Not only you but the other communities of individuals who are also aspiring to go beyond the standards, expectations and assumptions of our present day. It begins in humble places. It begins with Brave courageous individuals who are willing to defy the standards. And that mediocrity monster wants to hold you in your place. It wants to keep you safe. It wants to reserve some of the energy for later but guess what? We can get it back we can recharge we can regroup, we can regather ourselves, we can assess the situation.

We can continue to grow from here. And that growth begins with recognizing where you are recognizing what is capable of what is possible. And shooting for. Sometimes you’re gonna hit it sometimes you won’t, but I guarantee I will honor and respect anybody who tries I will respect that I will respect that immensely. And I respect you guys and I I challenge you to say goodbye to that little mediocrity monster that wants you to exhibit less in the world than you’re capable of. I know you got it within you so until next time aspire for reach for net it never settle for less than you know you deserve. My name is Rahim This is halftime talks. Thank you for listening. Make sure you go to iTunes subscribe rate and review.

If this is your first time listening thank you make sure you share it with a friend. The more who knows the more we grow and man 2017 We are going to grow by leaps and bounds with your help. Until next time, my name is Rahim Rasul pace