5 Ways to Transform From Mediocrity to Excellence

A shooting star…

Who doesn’t want to be the next “thing” to hit it to the next level; whether it’s in your career, business, finally having 1k followers on Instagram or even the next step with your boo. Many of us have excelled, passed the status quotient in school, and even landed jobs in our field (nowadays that can be a task, all by itself). We always express a promise in whatever we do. Though we have the ability, we may have found that we have hit a glass ceiling; but we may also be surprised that we build it ourselves.

How can we push through our limits in order to reach the full potential that is waiting to burst out of us?

1. Own Up

Our first lesson comes from one of the most popular songs of the 2000’s; Shaggy’s “It wasn’t me.”  After being busted for cheating, Shaggy’s lady runs down a list of reasons that she KNOWS (and evident as hell…) that he is cheating on her. But in typical fashion Shaggy results to …DENY….DENY….DENY…..DENY! Literally finding himself in the girl, looking with her two eyes, and Shaggy continues with….It wasn’t me.

Have you ever found that a problem or issue wasn’t your fault, no matter how obvious it all was?

Hiding (or better yet lying) from the truth in fear of damaging your “image.”

When we own up to our faults, it then always helps us shift to discover a problem, instead of wasting time finding people to pin it on. It also shows that you are willing to take the initiative. Even though you were wrong, people will respect you more for being real and owning up to it. A weight will be lifted off your chest, as you no longer have to walk on pins and needles waiting for someone to “figure you out.”

2. Right Time

When someone is waiting for the “right time” it reminds me of the jumping rope. There you are, catching the rhythm of the rope, to find the perfect time to jump in. But since the variable of the turning rope is not in your hands, it is either too slow or maybe the rope is just a tad short; you wait and wait for the “right time.”  Now everybody is cursing you out because you are taking too long.

The fact is that it is never going to happen unless you just jump in.

Waiting for the perfect opportunity to speak up in a meeting, tell a new project idea to your boss, or starting a new business; will never come. You will never have just the time you need, or even have the guts to say “boss man, this isn’t working.”  Just like the jump rope, you have to jump in and figure it out when you get there.

Extraordinary only happens when you ACT, good ideas that stay in your head do you no good…

3. It has to be Perfect

Let me just look over this one more time. 

Then ‘one more time’ turns into another week; another week, that you could have been preparing for the next project but you’re too busy making sure that this one is PERFECT. Perfection is just a myth that society has created in order to stall time. We place it on our resumes bragging as if it is a trophy; but in reality it shows signs of low confidence. Another way of saying that “I’m not quite yet ready to be judged by the world, let me continue to work on it.”  Instead of perfectionism, how about we strive for a trait that is obtainable. Excellence! Excellence is giving it your best.  Your superiors will be delighted that you are no longer wasting time but completing work at a higher standard.

4. Stand Out

The crowd. As children, our parents taught us to be leaders and not followers; but somehow when we became adults, that message was lost in translation. What they forget to tell us is that standing out from the crowd can have its downfall. Speaking out for injustice (#BlackLivesMatter), disagreeing with what the majority say in meetings, or even trying something new; could all be ridiculed from ‘the crowd” because it is different.  This alone can cause people to keep their mouths shut and keep it moving with everyone else.

At times, all it takes is to be different and use your voice, you never know how it may encourage others who were once frightened to follow. It also allows your organization to have those honest conversations about new policies or products they might be launching. In the long run, they will be happy that you opened your mouth.

5. Feel like it

There are two times in life that we often complete the task; when we just do it, and when we “feel like doing it.”

Though we become “doers”, it becomes a habit in who we are as people. Completing tasks when you “feel” like it works, but what happens when you no longer do? It just sits there; the best recipe to become mediocre.

While you wait to get the feeling, the “doer” in the office has already completed it, making a name for themselves, while you continue to wait until you “feel” the urge to complete the task. Opportunities present themselves to the ones who are already prepared (they won’t have to get ready because they stay ready).

If you find yourself hitting this glass window, take a look at these factors and get out of your own way. Uncover the potential that lies within you, and go out to claim all that is meant for your life.

Featured photo credit: Picjumbo via picjumbo.com