How to be average ...

I know a few over-achievers. They are amazing people. Their efforts to save the less fortunate, climb mountains, excel in their careers, raise multiple children and look brilliant every day are worthy of note. They share their wisdom and then gush about our own (more mundane) achievements. They are put out there to set the example and shine a light on the hill for the rest of us but to be brutally honest, I am so over over-achievers. Their tales don't resinate. Their integrity is disconcerting, almost creepy. Their achievements are overwhelming and probably unattainable...

Sour grapes? No. Over-achievers contribute to society, their industries and families in ways I can't begin to emulate. I am thankful for their efforts but I don't want to be anything like them.

I think it's because I love 'average', most people I know are average and have average aspirations. After my friends have had a few drinks and tell me the things they like about me -It's normally just after I have slurred "I love you guys"... I'm often told I'm accessible. I take this as 'average' not, well umm, accessible...

Average is good. No great. It is to be revelled in. Do you want an easy and enjoyable life? Then harness your 'average'. 

It's good to be average at school because the teachers will be focussed on the naughty kids at the back and the naughty kids at the back will be focussed on the nerds at the front. Average school students can go a remarkably long way by just sitting in the middle and leaving them to it.

Its good to be average at the doctors, too. No one goes to the doctor wanting high blood pressure or low. We want to be told we are just like everyone else. Skin, weight, lumps and bumps. All average. Yippee..

I'm happy with my average family. No early starts for gifted children to get to tennis lessons or maths advanced tuition. No letters from the headmaster on delinquent behaviour. Two very average little boys is perfectly adequate. 

Average shoe size and dress size. Fine for buying whatever you want. In this case, there is a caveat on my push for average, it's perfect before the sales... Any woman who has scoured the bargain bins at the David Jones post-Christmas sales will not doubt have rued their average status when a fabulous pair of Jimmy Choo's was a available in size 11 only or those gorgeous Sass and Bide jeans were drastically reduced in size 4 (!!!!) .

Average at work...? Often neglected while we focus on the superstars and under-performers, but absolutely essential. Who else is going to keep the business running? Average employees are competent and comply with their terms of employment. They grease the machine and should be thanked. They don't tend to mess up their work life balance and don't darken your door with requests for their next promotion. More please.

So put down your book on Richard Branson, unsubscribe to your motivational podcasts and take a good look at your neighbours, peers and friends with small paunches, noisy kids and regular jobs. They (you) deserve a hearty thanks for being average.

PS... The other caveat on average. Best disguised at performance review time..