You’re Not Destined for Great Things. Here’s How to Be OK With That.
It’s not always easy to be OK with being below average. We always want more, and we believe that we are destined for great things. But what if you’re not? What if you’re below average? Is that really so bad?
First of all, how can you tell? Bad grades? No success in business? Well, Bill Gates was a drop-out, and plenty of successful entrepreneurs bounced back after bad starts. No, early failure is no indication that that you are below average. It might mean the opposite.
So how should you go about evaluating your own potential? Well, to start, consider your talents. Do you have any? Have you developed them? Are they useful? If so, then congratulations.
But what if you don’t have any special talents? What if you’re a below-average average Joe or Jane? That’s not so bad either. After all, the world needs below-average people. We can’t all be geniuses or prodigies. Somebody has to do the ordinary jobs that keep society running. And that’s OK. You don’t have to be destined for great things to live a happy and fulfilling life. Embrace your ordinariness and be content with who you are. It’s not so bad, really. In fact, it might even be kind of nice.
What does below-average mean? The bottom of the barrel? Nope. First of all, it depends how we are averaging. If we are looking at a median average, then being below average just means you are in the bottom half of the population — not so bad! If we’re going by a “mean” average, then the highest performers skew the average upward. You could be “below average” and still more “successful” than most people.
But there are also plenty of ways of measuring your own self-worth. For example, you could have a lousy job but have great kids who love you more than they possibly could if you were a busy billionaire. Or, for example, you could be an artist but never sell a painting in your life. That doesn’t mean you’re not a good artist. You could be a great artist, but a “below-average” marketer of your own talents.
But what if you are below-average in everything you can think of? That’s OK too. Maybe you’re not destined for greatness, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find happiness in your ordinariness. Embrace it and be content with who you are. That’s the best way to live a happy life.
What if you feel like you’re stuck in a rut? If you’re not sure how to move forward, here are some tips:
– Talk to a therapist or counselor
– Read self-help books
– Join a support group
– Find a hobby or activity that makes you happy
– Spend time with loved ones and close friends
– Volunteer your time to help others
No matter where you are in life, remember that it’s OK to be below average. If you’re struggling with feeling like you’re not good enough, remember that you are not alone. We all feel that way sometimes. But it’s important to remind ourselves that we are all special and unique, no matter where we fall on the spectrum of averages.
So be content with who you are today and find happiness in your everyday life. That’s the best way to live a fulfilling life.
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Content and image by Audere Magazine.
