Being that special snowflake or standing out as the unique one-in-a-million is something we all secretly wished we could be.
Why is that so?
We naturally liked the idea of being important, living life full of meaning and value. That is why we perceive fame and fortune as social indicators of being a successful individual. It is no surprise that some even go a step further, to the extent of self-aggrandizing to their friends and families.
After all, we see the successful individuals as the movers and the shakers of the world.
Being Average Is Actually Healthy
But what if thinking that you are special is a distorted — even toxic mindset to becoming successful?
Let’s think about it. Unless we are the direct descendants of Einstein or the next Stephen Hawking, we are generally born the same; healthy and — you guessed it, pretty much average. We all sit comfortably in the middle range of the bell curve diagram.
By believing that we are special, we assume that everyone out there is mediocre and thus, we are entitled to special treatment.
Likewise, if we believe that we are victims of circumstance (read: special), we assume that everyone out there is better than us and thus, we still deserve special treatment.
See?
I think that being average is a healthy and realistic way to look at life.
It helps us understand that the problems we face are not all that special. Many of the average Joes and Janes that comes before shares a similar burden like us. By understanding their problems and our average peers, we are essentially connected with one another in our lives. It is only when we search hard enough that the solution shall present itself.
Average turns out to be pretty cool.
Being average is not to be confused with being mediocre.
Being average is conforming to the norms and constantly to be in the middle while the latter, however, is a subjective value through perceived judgment.
When we place judgment to ourselves as not being anything special, we stopped focusing inwards and give our attention to our obstacles and how to overcome them.
This is how the average person becomes exceptional.
Example of average people demonstrating exceptional things
Remember Malala? Yeah. Back then, she was just an average girl who defied the Taliban. She took a bullet to the face and still live to tell her tale and continue to fight for women’s rights.
How about the story of Colonel Sanders? He was another average guy, going door-to-door trying to sell his fried chicken recipe. He got his break when he was in his 50s.
An ordinary couple in Inner China planted 50,000 trees to fight desertification which is threatening their habitat and essentially saving the world.
And what about you? Are you taking that seemingly average, but proactive step to be better?
What better way to learn in life than accepting your “averageness”, facing our setbacks and take a shot in life instead of being assuring yourself that you are gifted and talented?
Thanks for reading.
