Mediocrity



"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents."    Andrew Carnegie

'Mediocre'….. the sound of the word reminds me of a southern cooked vegetable.  Just saying the word makes me feel kind of luke warm doesn’t it you?  God says he’ll spit us out if our faith is luke warm. (Revelation 3:15-16)     

When I first meet with my education students each semester we have a discussion on the term 'mediocre'.  The students write down characteristics of teachers from their past that were 'quality' teachers, 'lousy' teachers and 'mediocre' ones.  They share in small groups experiences they've had with educators in each of the three  categories. At the end of the class period I mention that we are desperate for more 'quality' teachers in the classroom but if their goal is to be satisfied with being a mediocre one, then perhaps instead of pursuing a degree in education, they instead need to look for work at the Circle K.

Last week I was privileged to be sent an inspiring email written by my nephew. I asked him if he would mind if I shared some of his words with you and he said he was happy for me to pass it on.  So here goes.....

"….That last year I taught in high school, I hated what I did. I hated going to work in the morning, and it showed. If you asked the students I had  last year, they would probably tell you I  was a terrible teacher, and they would be right.

 

But here...  (at the job I’m currently at)  Now that I am enjoying what I do again, I am the best damn teacher in this entire department.

When I show up to give a lecture, I don't just talk... I bring power points, I bring handouts, I play videos, I sing, I dance......... OK, I don't dance.  But when I do something, I do it right. I wasted the first thirty years of my life "half assing" things. Well I don't half ass them anymore. When I show up to do something, I bring it!

I know I sound like I'm full of myself, and that is not my intention. I just feel like I wasted too much of my life being mediocre. I have people depending on me now. I have a wife and two beautiful boys who deserve good things. And I can't give that to them by taking the low road. That might be good enough for me, but it isn't good enough for them…."

 

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My nephew's words continue to speak to me.  I know we can’t be stellar at everything we do, ...… but I have come to recognize that mediocrity doesn’t bring me much joy.  ‘And ‘half assing’ things doesn’t typically lead to any great successes. 

 

How about you, would you say you're wasting too much of your life being mediocre?  And when you show up to do something...'do you bring it'? 

 

Something for us all to think about....

Please post some of your 'aha' moments, examples, or observations on the blog, or email me, Karen, at: smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com