Are You Content To Meet Mediocrity?

A few years ago, I was living in another county. It felt like another world and someone else's life.

I had moved from a job in NYC to a community where I connected with a very nice, very amiable, very content group of people.

For a number of years, my circle of friends was comprised of some lovely people with "safe" jobs, focused on remaining comfortable and not taking on more than they could chew professionally. During that time, I consciously didn't talk about my "big dreams" or aspirations, my hopes, my visions for a bigger future.

I was afraid that my circle of friends, often under-achievers, would think me arrogant, or ask themselves, "Who does she think is?"

Over time, I began to realize I was associating with a group of very nice but highly resigned people, people who were content to stand still, not rock any boats, and not take on very much that was risky.


There was an aha moment when I realized I was dying inside. I was yearning to associate with people who wanted to create and live bigger lives, strive and accomplish more, make a bigger difference, and I didn't have the people in my life to endorse this hidden craving.

As difficult as it was, I gave myself permission to seek out other people for friends.

Today, my circle of friends is truly fulfilling: spiritually, intellectually, creatively, and are a 9 on the influence scale. It really took something to realize that my former circle of friends were mediocre. There is nothing wrong with mediocre - it's just that I could not leave this life knowing I had just gotten by. I didn't want my life to be that.

Many of us find it easier to affiliate with people at our own level. We say we feel comfortable there. Of course we do. What effort does it take to speak to people who do not cause us to stretch and strive?

Perhaps you feel this is snobbery. I am not suggesting that average people who don't strive for more professionally are less or do not make a huge difference in the lives of their loved ones.

The point is:
if you've been given the skills, talent, and opportunity to create and contribute, is it ok to just get by with what's comfortable? Is it ok to be a magnet for mediocrity?

In these past few years, I feel as though I have grown beyond my wildest imagination. I have taken on new challenges that I never would have believed possible: I have hosted top-notch leaders, I have taken professional risks and succeeded (and failed), I have connected some of the most wonderful and talented people, and I have made a difference.

What about you?

Are you content to be a magnet for mediocrity or are you willing to stretch your muscles and raise the bar on your relationships?

Who are the people in your life today? Do they want to see you stretch and play full out or are they more comfortable when you play small?

It does take courage to meet and interact with people who are brighter, more experienced, more accomplished, and maybe even in more elevated or influential circles. But if you want to get that product to market, publish that book, or have your cure for a formidable disease accepted for clinical trial, you must have access to people who are definitely NOT MEDIOCRE.

Mediocre, by the way, has nothing to do with money or status. It has everything to do with drive, intention, and creativity.

Humans often seem to be content with comfort - not going out on a limb for the possibility of success. From time to time, we see the "lucky" winners - Bill Gates, Oprah. Barack Obama showed us that luck had nothing to do with it. He leveraged every possible relationship in new ways, in the most unlikely, difficult, uncomfortable, painful, stressful, ways. All to satisfy a dream of making a difference.

When will you give up being mediocre and hanging around with "safe" people?

If you are reading this post, you are living in a place and time of immense possibility, filled with creative, innovative people, with tools and resources unimagined only a decade ago.

I invite you to take one even one of the following suggestions:

Go to new events and meet with people who are vibrating at a higher level and who know more than you in some areas.

Take on the challenge of hanging out with smarter, more successful, more accomplished people than you.

Go places where your comfort level is low, and opportunity is high.

Do not stay content, and meet your more excellent self.

I invite you to be a little less comfortable, and experience the ultimate experience and enjoyment of your own evolution.