Most of education is a quest to be above average. But, in our quest to be better, are we becoming...more average?
School has been going in this direction for some time. And as a result, students and parents have forgotten the meaning of the word "average."
For example.
If a high schooler graduates with a 4.0 GPA, that's a great achievement.
But in the context of applying to top-tier colleges against thousands of others with 4.0 GPA's, it's average.
Nothing special.
Side note - There is nothing wrong with average. I will forever be below average at making a decent fried egg. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the thrill of the attempt. I will forever revel in my below-average egg-making.
But if you seek to avoid average, there's a simple yardstick you can use.
Average is easy.
Average is doing the same things everyone else is doing. Average is settling for getting by instead of leaning in to do exceptional work.
Most of all, average is avoiding fear.
Fear of failure. Fear of doing things other people aren't doing. Fear of standing out.
If you seek to be above average, pick the thing that isn't easy. Pick the thing that terrifies and excites you.
And just do it.
After all, if it won't kill you, how bad could it be?