Separate!
Average has a very strong gravitational pull. Normal is neutral. In order to challenge the status quo we need to separate. Like driving our car on a journey, we need to indicate, change lane, change gear, and then accelerate if we want to separate from the slow-moving traffic.
Arnie Schwarzenegger separated from the crowd. In one of his funnier refrains, he talks about "time" and the need to "sleep faster"; but he also makes a key point about "making the time" to concentrate on our priorities in order to move the needle towards our purpose. Sleep is a priority so in order to separate, we may need to sacrifice something else.
Eric Thomas warns; "Don't hang around average people. They will tell you what they (you) cannot do." We are the average of the people we spend most time with. One way to raise our own standards and aspirations is to hang around inspiring people. We do not need anyone's permission to unlock our own potential. To separate from the crowd takes courage.
"It always seems impossible until it is done." - Nelson Mandela
Mel Robbins says this; "If you listen to how you feel when it comes to what you want, you will not get it..." Her philosophy on overriding our brain's instinct to protect us from danger or failure, reminds me of Seth Godin's quote below:
"Don't talk about your dreams with people who want to protect you from heartache." - Seth Godin
Changing course takes deliberate courage, energy, and action. There will be many, especially those closest to you, who do not want you to break free from the norm. They prefer you to stay in the comfort zone with them. It is done out of love but it ignores our stretch for uniqueness.
Inky Johnson reminds us of the importance of purpose. He suffered a career-ending injury while playing college football, but he continues to inspire himself and his community by leading his life with the same attitude he had on the field. He believes that perspective drives performance. The process is what is important. Those leading indicators within our control every hour of every day, are the indicators of fulfilment.
"How you view what you do, affects how you do what you do." - Inky Johnson
With this focus, the stage may change, but our mental state and our standards will not. Some will try to pull us down but we need to keep striving, keep rising, and keep driving...