‘Only the mediocre are always at their best’

Ayn Rand, the philosopher and writer talked a lot about mediocrity. Not because she believed in it but to draw our attention to how mediocrity prevails in our world. In fact, her books The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are all about how mediocrity becomes all pervasive and excellence is looked down upon. All motivational gurus tell us to excel in our world. All self-help books and tape warn us about the danger of mediocrity.

John Butcher calls it Principle of Entropy, meaning that all systems no matter how good they are fall apart if not maintained by continuous positive action. Professor Moody in Harry Potter books shouted ‘constant vigilance’.

To me excellence is going that extra mile in doing something even if you are tired because that is what one does. It is a habit. Mediocrity is when we finish a job because we have to do it. We do put up a show of being sincere by trying to be busy and having a frown on our forehead. But is that our life mantra?

My two-penny? People who are insecure settle in for mediocrity. That becomes their refuge. People who accept themselves strive toward excellence. Come on, anytime you copied someone’s homework in school and got ‘A’, was it as satisfactory as a ‘B’ if you did it yourself. And didn’t that ‘B’ pushed you to get an ‘A’ next time? That is the difference between excellence and mediocrity.

If you have a reason to live, a purpose to do something and have self-esteem, you will always excel. You will never do shoddy work. So ask yourself, what is my purpose on this planet? Think deeply and you will get your answer. Even if you don’t, just do everything better than you have done so far.

So be it!!!