The Massive Cost of Mediocrity

Mediocrity is expensive. Much expensive that what we can calculate.

Doing 1% less does not get you 1% less. It can cost you literally everything.

This is harsh — but I think we all can feel it. Good enough hardly gets you anywhere.

But good enough is not bad on its own. It’s bad if you chose to stay there.

Good enough is a polite way of saying “you need to do hell lot more”.

Performance is an interesting subject. I love studying performance. What makes it thrive. What gets is down. The sad reality of mediocrity is that partial effort doesn’t gives you partial results. In fact, the results are almost every time disproportionate to the incremental effort.

A banker trying to crack a deal with a builder… 1% less effort can lead to massive financial impact.

A surgeon operating… 1% can cost life.

A chef giving 1% less… can cost you your entire dining experience.

The challenge: we normally don’t notice the correlation. It’s normally ignored in the clutter of motivational talk, past success, new upcoming opportunities, and mere carelessness.

The flip side… agreeing not to opt for mediocrity leads you to leadership role… in your class, sports, business, profession, relationship…

Make a choice.

Give your best [best is actually better than the last time].