Mediocrity vs. Excellence #95

In our last few +1s, we’ve been chatting about reaching the Peak of our potential.

What’s the alternative?

Well, did you know that the Latin root of the word mediocre LITERALLY means to get stuck in the middle of a rugged mountain?

Yep.

Medius = “middle.”

Ocris = “rugged mountain.”

Mediocrity.

That’s not where we want to get stuck. 😃

How do we make it through that mid-way point and summit the peak of our potential?

Let’s open up our Thesaurus for some clues.

We’ll start with synonyms for mediocre: “ordinary, average, middling, middle-of-the-road, uninspired, undistinguished, indifferent, unexceptional, unexciting, unremarkable, run-of-the-mill, pedestrian, prosaic, lackluster, forgettable, amateur, amateurish.”

Those are all great ways to get stuck.

Guess what?

There’s one antonym for mediocre. Can you guess what it is?

“Excellent.”

Yep. That’s the ticket. EXCELLENCE. When we hit those inevitable tough spots on the rugged mountain that is our heroic quest, we need to show up with excellence. We need to do our best.

You may recall the Greeks had a word for that.

Areté.

It’s the best way to high five your inner daimon as you joyfully summit.

Let’s do that.

One step at a time. Right up to the peak of that rugged mountain.

+1. +1. +1.