A New Playing Field

I used to have a major problem with trying to be extraordinary.  I tried to be better than others and over achieve in all things of life.  I used to be competitive.  I really used to be stubbornly obnoxious when others just couldn't do their jobs right.  I didn't mind lending a helping hand.  I couldn't stand having to do the job for the other person because they were just epic failures that couldn't help themselves though.

I always tried to be better than others and strived for excellence.  I tried bringing others up to my level.  Then it hit me, I want to be average.  I do not mean boring, dull, or mediocre; just average.

Average is not a bad thing.  An average person has leaders, mentors, friends, equals, and followers.  Average people are down to earth and humble.  Average people make mistakes and learn lessons.  Average people do not know it all, but know what works for them.

I realized that rather than trying to change others around me or change myself, I had to do something different.  Garbage in; Garbage out.  It doesn't matter if it is the food you eat, the friends you hang out with, the shows you watch on tv, or the habits you use to study.  Essentially, I tried a failed science experiment.  I'll call it Insanity.  Not like P90X and DVD workouts.  But a literal madness.

When you try the same experiment over and over again; meanwhile expecting different results.  That is the definition of insanity.  It seemed the harder that I worked, the less the others had to do.  I couldn't slack off, for the job wouldn't get done.  A bad day for me would get worse because others would expect me to pull through and pick up the slack.  I would still do more than others (even on a bad day) and I was the one criticized.

I am not Superman.  I am not perfect.  I do not know it all and never will.  I cannot change the world, nor save it.  When you move up from JV to Varsity or from the Minor League to the Big League, you aren't top dog anymore.  Are you ready to go from your Minor League games to the World Series?  What a change in the caliber and experience of the other players.

You may strike out a few times, but you start to see the same pitches.  Now you start getting on base.  You build your confidence.  Eventually, your batting average is back up to .400 and you are holding your own.

What happened?  Iron sharpens iron.  You were ready for the next level.  The Minor Leagues were holding you back.  You hadn't seen it all yet.  Then you adapted to the new level of play.

Surround yourself with like-minded people.  Surround yourselves with people who are better than you.  Mingle with those that have experienced what you hope to achieve.  Learn from those that walk, talk, and breathe the life that you deserve.

Put yourself in a new and uncomfortable environment.  Keep putting yourself out there.  You will be amazed how easily you can become accustomed to it all.

Train hard and don't give up.  Never settle for anything less than you deserve.