This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Are You Choosing Average?
Mediocrity is its own pandemic. It’s easy to settle. It’s easy to stay the same. It’s easy to continue doing what you’ve always done. It’s easy to accept whatever you’re given and whatever comes your way. It’s easy to choose mediocrity willingly, and here are five reasons why.
1. Habits
Our habits are what determine what kind of life we will have. Our habits have the power to affect us in multiple aspects of our lives. Most people choose mediocrity because of their habits. Habits are like addictions, and it can be a challenge to stop any habit cold turkey unless you have a prevailing motivation to do so.
2. Self-Worth
The second reason why people choose mediocrity derives from a lack of self-worth. If you ever see someone that willingly accepts mistreatment or disrespect when they are paying for service, or someone willingly stays in an abusive relationship, it’s because they lack self-worth. Until a person establishes a healthy sense of self-worth, they will continue to live a mediocre life, they will continue to have mediocre opportunities, they will continue to experience mediocre relationships, and they will continue to accept mediocre or worse treatment from others.
3. Comfort Zone
The third reason people choose to live mediocre lives is that it’s easy. It’s easier to accept:
If you’re getting value from this — sign up for my newsletter, a free daily 5 AM email. Discipline delivered before the sun comes up.
mistreatment
average opportunities
poor habits
and mediocrity
Because it requires ZERO effort. You have to invest time, energy, thought, and willpower to not accept mediocrity. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable for a temporary amount of time so that you can be comfortable indefinitely.
4. Boundaries
The fourth reason people settle for mediocrity is a lack of boundaries. When you don’t have boundaries, you tend to settle for whatever comes your way. When boundaries are absent from a person’s life, they are like a house with no fence — anyone and anything can get in and do what they want. A person without boundaries willingly accepts mediocrity because they don’t have the gumption to live any differently.
5. Exposure
The more you expose yourself, the more your mind expands; this is why it is critical to travel, explore new spaces, continually learn, and continually explore new people, environments, and experiences. The more exposed you are, the more you will question life, limits, boundaries, habits, relationships, your self-worth, and the way you live life. The more exposure you have, the more your confidence grows, and the less you accept mediocrity willingly. I’m sure everyone has experienced the thought of, “I wish I knew then, what I know now.”
In conclusion, the five reasons why people willingly choose mediocrity is because of their habits, lack of self-worth, it’s comfortable staying in your comfort zone, it’s difficult to enforce and establish boundaries—especially later in life, and a lack of exposure.
Going Forward: Will you choose to willingly accept mediocrity or will you get out of your usual and try something different, so your life can change for the better? Take the leap, you won’t regret it.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.