Many years ago, I was reminded of a promise that I made when I joined the Maxwell Leadership Team. It was a promise to remove the word “average” from my vocabulary when I became a Maxwell Leadership Certified Speaker.
It’s something that I have not forgotten.
Today, anytime I speak under the Maxwell Leadership Umbrella, I strive for excellence and not to be average.
The owner at the time, Dr. John C. Maxwell, reminded us that we are given the right to carry his name, and we should do everything in our power to uphold and protect the reputation of the company and his name.
Each of us also carries a family name, which we must uphold for our reputation.
As I thought about my topic for today, I wanted to write about why so many people are average. As we enter yet another week of the Government Shutdown, there are various names on people’s tongues that are just being average or mediocre.
The word mediocre carries various connotations, such as “of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance.”
MEDIOCRE Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
I believe that today you don’t want to be placed in a category of someone who is known for moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance.
The word Mediocre “comes to English via Middle French from the Latin word mediocris, meaning “of medium size, moderate, middling, commonplace,” and perhaps originally “halfway to the top.” The noun form of mediocre is mediocrity.”
Many times, we see people who do things halfway.
I know as an Educator, the word average is difficult to imagine in an environment that teaches both young and old.
I know this firsthand during the 1996 Olympics when I was working for three weeks in Atlanta, seeing the various pins worn that said anything but average, such as “Faster, higher, stronger.”
I’m also sure you have all heard this adage: “Any Job Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Right the First Time.”
Sometimes we come across people who have a mindset of mediocrity and don’t necessarily value the importance of time and attention to detail. You can also tell by their leadership styles.
Maybe that’s why Dr. John C. Maxwell made it a point not to be average because being average means that we would settle for mediocrity.
“The time is always right to do what is right.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain
Yet in 2025, we still have people who don’t want to do the right thing or do things right the first time.
There’s another word called Perfectionism that many grapple with in today’s world. As you read the article in Psychology Today that talks about G. K. Chesterton, maybe you will agree or not?
“Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.” — G. K. Chesterton
“One of my favorite quotes is from G. K. Chesterton, a Christian philosopher who argued that most of what must be done to make the world go ’round is done by the average Joe who does not do it perfectly — or sometimes even well.”
Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Badly | Psychology Today
As it relates to perfection, there are various opinions based on our own personalities how we each see things.
Some strive for higher levels than others, and some might say it’s good enough until the next time if it surpasses the previous outcomes.
How we look at perfection can also tell us what our North Star looks like.
I desire that you find refuge in doing the right thing and doing it right.
It’s a matter of Integrity even when no one is watching. It’s not always easy, but it builds character and strength.
Sometimes we must get outside of our comfort zones, and the truth of the matter is that many know the right thing to do, but the hard part is doing it.
What are we settling on these days and why?
The question is, what’s your desire these days?
Each of us has a gap we can close in making us better to move beyond being mediocre or settling. It’s tied to perfection, or maybe it’s a matter of reaching your North Star, which might be that void in your life.
Sometimes we must build that bridge to cross the chasm in our lives where we intentionally want to go from mediocre to excellence.
This reminds me of the book, “Made to Stick, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, and being marked as inferior.
It could be speaking in different languages of either abstract or concrete.
Each of them also has abstract or concrete goals.
Today is the day I challenge you to remove average from your vocabulary and seek excellence in all that you do. You already know what the average person is, being average. So why not challenge yourself not to be the average person?
All it takes is a mindset shift from fixed to a growth mindset.
As Jim Rohn says, “Average people look for ways of getting away with it; successful people look for ways of getting on with it.”
Or as Jim Rohn say’s “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
Pick your company carefully!
As a Maxwell Leadership Professional, I’ll close with this: The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to…failure.” John C. Maxwell
Good morning CM! Thanks for the blog as I continue to strive for excellence in all that I do. There have definitely been times in 2025 that I felt myself undergo doubt, but I have to remind myself that I am built for adversity in which I choose to press on. In addition, as I read the quote from Jim Rohn, I thought about how I consistently challenge myself to be around individuals that are excelling and/or that will push me towards my potential (directly/indirectly). Lastly, I would like to share with you one of my favorite quotes from John Wooden, “never mistake activity for achievement.” Have a blessed day!
Terrance,
Greetings,
Great feedback from you today and I appreciate you sharing one of your favorite quotes from John Wooden, “never mistake activity for achievement.” John Wooden is a legend within itself. I know that life sometimes gets all of us down and we need subtle reminders from time to time again to continue to strive for excellence. This is why now how John Wooden connects with everything I have seen you do I the past.
CM
McKinley,
Excellence is a state of mind and should always be our gaol in all that we do. I am guilty of not always striving for that “Top Block” of excellence, and probably miss better opportunities as a result. I now commit to push pass mediocrity and strive for the excellence block.
Scott,
Great comments today concerning excellence pushing pass mediocrity. The words “Top Block” of course reminds me of our time in the military together where it was expected to “Top Block” I our careers as Sergeant Majors. I have your counseling statement ready for you to sign. Just kidding, as I know that kidding, as I know that “Excellence is a state of mind and should always be our goal.”
McKinley
McKinley,
I have a mantra “I don’t do average”. I believe in raising the standard. So I aim for excellence. It’s growth mindset for me!
Lucretia
Lucretia,
Greetings, as someone I’ve known for years, I already know your mantra is not to be average. I’ve seen your work! Your correct excellence is about having a “growth mindset!”
McKinley
In the field of quality, quality is defined as exceeding customer expectations. So, being a quality practitioner for several years, I believe anything worth doing must be done to exceed expectations. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It blesses me.
Afolabi,
Blessings to you! I never thought about the aspect of being a quality practitioner. That alone is awesome! Thank you for adding value to my blog!
McKinley
This is a much needed reminder for many. My mother & grandmother always said, “If you don’t do it right the 1st time you must have time to do it over” So why not doi it right; do your best the 1st time and every time.The TM WOD for 10/21/25 is “ASSIDUOUS” which meand Hard working & Diligengt. People that know me, know me, know that I can be over the top at times: always doing or wanting to do extra. I have been told, just do what you’er asked to do and no more and you won’t always be in trouble or being called on the carpet. I tried that, but that’s the hardest thing for me not to be “ME”. So I guess I will always be get called on the carpet. How much better to be called on the carpet for over producing than under producing. I may need to change my methodology, or tone it down a bit to fit the situation or persons that I’m dealing with. What ever I find for my hands to do, I will do it as unto The Lord; that is with excellence.
Ms. Hattie,
First and foremost, there is wisdom in your comments. “My mother & grandmother always said, “If you don’t do it right the 1st time you must have time to do it over” So why not do it right; do your best the 1st time and every time.” These are words we all need to hear. You are “Assiduous” continue being the person you are for over producing than under producing. Blessings to you!
McKinley
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Thank You!
The subsequent time I learn a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I do know it was my option to read, however I truly thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you can repair in case you werent too busy looking for attention.
Delmer,
Thank you for your feedback.
Have a great week ahead.
McKinley