Don’t Settle for Average: How to Be Exceptional

The saying don’t settle for average has become increasingly common over the last few years, and it has never been more relevant than it is today. While a traditional education used to be enough to land you a well-paying job, this has proven no longer to be true. Now, there’s nothing wrong with choosing to go down the traditional educational path, but the fact remains that it will only get you so far in today’s world—and if you want to make your mark on history, that may not be enough.

Knowing what you want out of life

The clearer you are about what you want, and why you want it, the more motivated and effective you’ll be in life. Set short- and long-term goals for yourself that align with your life vision—and then do whatever it takes to make those goals a reality. If you don’t know what your purpose is yet, spend some time meditating on what makes you happy; ask yourself what makes other people happy as well. Once you figure out what truly drives and fulfils you, use that knowledge to guide every decision going forward. As Oprah Winfrey once said, You can have anything you want if you help enough people get what they want in life.

Stop comparing yourself with others

Comparing yourself with others is one of the easiest ways to take your mind off what you have and focus on what you don’t. If you find yourself feeling like everyone has something more than you, it might be time to stop comparing yourself with others. You’re better than that. You deserve better than that. Don’t settle for average; go after excellence instead. It doesn’t matter how many people are doing what you want to do or how many people are doing it better than you—what matters is how hard you work at being exceptional. Focus on self-improvement rather than comparisons, and soon enough, others will start noticing your hard work.

Know your worth

There is a common misconception that being average is okay. People say, It’s okay, I don’t need to be perfect at everything or I’m just a normal person with some interesting quirks. Just look at my flaws and you’ll understand why I want to be mediocre. Being average is settling and settling will get you nowhere in life except looking back at what could have been. You are not your mistakes; you are not your past. You are what you make of yourself today and tomorrow. So stop settling for average and start striving to be exceptional! 2 ways to know your worth: 1) Know where you’re going 2) Know how much it takes to get there. If you don’t know where you’re going then how do we expect others to respect your journey?

Strive for success

Success is defined as the achievement of your goals. Don’t just strive to meet your goals, shoot higher and do whatever it takes to reach them. No excuses. Learn from each setback, apply what you’ve learned, and never give up until you achieve your goal—or discover a new one. (For more strategies on how to be exceptional and achieve success in life, check out our post How Successful People Think Differently Than The Rest Of Us.)

Most people will settle for average—and that’s fine. But if you want to truly stand out in a crowded marketplace, if you want to actually accomplish something significant in your life, then don’t settle for average.

Ask For Help When You Need It

Finding mentors and asking them for help is a great way to accelerate your professional development. Mentors are more than just sounding boards; they’re people who have been there before and can give you actionable insights on how you can improve as an employee or entrepreneur. Find a mentor at school, in your family, or through one of your business contacts. Don’t be afraid to ask! If you don’t get an answer right away, keep trying until someone says yes. If you want something badly enough, it will happen.

Set Goals and Overachieve Them

There’s a saying that the difference between people who succeed and those who don’t is that successful people do what unsuccessful people aren’t willing to do. This means that if you want something, you have to go get it—or else someone else will. If you want to be above average, set goals and overachieve them; whatever goal you set, there is always room for improvement, so work hard toward it until it becomes second nature. For example, when it comes to your career, you can improve your skills by taking courses or reading books. When it comes to your personal life, commit yourself to be a better person by donating time or money to charity or helping out friends in need. The possibilities are endless!

Never Give Up On Yourself!

There are two types of people in life: those who persevere, and those who quit. While that’s not an exact 1-to-1 translation, it’s close—and there are huge rewards when you choose to be among those who keep going. Here’s why persevering is so important and how you can be exceptional. … Title: You’re Never Giving Up on Yourself, Right? Why Being Relentless Is So Important Don’t Give Up On Your Dreams!: If you have a dream or passion, don’t let anything stop you from chasing it. If you want to learn something new, don’t give up until you do. It takes hard work and determination to achieve your goals, but if they mean enough to you they’re worth every ounce of effort spent trying to reach them! No matter what your goal is (or what gets in your way), never give up on yourself!

Remember, No One is Meant to Struggle Alone

Help is out there if you can get past your pride. Don’t let shame stop you from speaking up about what’s going on and letting others help. There are many resources available online, including support groups through organizations such as The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or Crisis Text Line. If you’re a veteran, check out additional support at Military OneSource or give them a call at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. You don’t have to go through it alone. It’s OK to ask for help.