Are we happy with mediocrity?

Since the time I found the patience to actually think and deliberate on matters whose realms go beyond my own self, I feel I have become more confused about the workings of the world. In fact as I was exposed to modern theories of Lean Management, Just-in- Time inventory and Process and System Re-engineering, I was forming a mind set that someone was trying to put the world together like a scientific law, where nothing was a waste.

But even if the world is governed by laws of physics and the forces of nature decide the fate of any planet, humans still have the undying love of mediocrity. This is even more painful when they dream big, but simply are not willing to put in efforts to achieve.

I have seen people who have big plans, who begin each new task with a boiler full of steam and making noise louder than a factory siren. The enthusiasm is at a peak higher than what a Richard Branson may have before his balloon adventures. But as days progress, the person loses steam and his journey ends in the middle of no where. Most of the time, it is a case where a person is not able to achieve the goals critical to his mission, and the vision goes away in vain. I have nothing against these people. They are mediocre by no means. Frankly because they have the zeal to achieve and lose their confidence when they witness failures far more than success too early in their quest.

I have a problem with those who have big dreams but not the desire to work hard to achieve them. They want money, success, fame and all the best the world can offer. But, they want it served on a platter with minimal effort. Its actually surprising that if there are people with this attitude for themselves, what can be their attitude for a group or a collective goal?

Let me be very open and accept that I have not been able to deliver the desired result many times. When it’s a group activity, I might expect a 100% from every member but end with only a combined 80% at the end of the day. But I have never left any stone unturned when it was for my own development. That’s how I approached an exam, that’s how I lead a team for the college fest. If I excel, the other person possibly out of envy might give more.

Let me discuss an example. I know this junior from my college, who I have still not been able to ascertain as to what might be her true character. She has this slight bit of arrogance for no reason and capability is overridden but snobbish attitude. I am always ready to help anyone who wants a hand with their career. If anyone asks me to help with a career decision, I usually do my bit to the maximum. This girl sure had big dreams, a desire for deep pockets and all earthly wealth. But the casual attitude in the most serious areas for success was shocking.

Where I lost my cool was when one morning I found a questionnaire for a survey from this same girl in my mail. I am not offended by the questionnaire, but the quality of it. This was not the first but the second time I saw bad quality of work in six months from the same girl. To identify the roots, I actually questioned the integrity of my professor and his duty. As I realised that it was nothing but the outcome of the bad attitude and lack of efforts from the students, I asked myself- who was gaining by not putting in the efforts? Why was the final output below the required standard? And why is this girl nagging me for a job which can pay her 4.5 lacs from Day 1, when she might be not even worth half of it?

Mediocrity breeds more of mediocre attitude. Are we here to just earn money or work in a manner and deliver quality work that stand the test of time? If money is all you need… even a prostitute earns money.

If a boss dreams of money, he will be happy with a subordinate who dreams on the same lines. Their work is always more focussed on how to make that half a percent of more profits today than do a good job that can help me get good work for rest of the year. So finally by the end of the year, he makes the numbers. Sure he did, but how? Wasn’t that important?

As I end this post, all I want to ask everyone out here is how well you sleep the day you have not given your best?

“Are u as a person happy with mediocrity?”

-Tushar