I no longer desire to be “average.” When I graduated college, I had an average job, making average money and was destined for an average life. Even today I talk to people who say they just want a good job, with good pay…and benefits. There is nothing wrong with that, but these days I want some thing exceptional..
In 2012, Thomas Friedman wrote a New York Times article called “Average Is Over.” He’s right. With the automation of everything from fast food to high tech manufacturing to website design, the average jobs are going away. As an entrepreneur, I am charged everyday with showing how my services are extraordinary and exceptional. Even when I worked in corporate America, there were some people who showed everyday they were not going to be average. They were destined for success and everyone knew it. Here is how they do it:
- They have a plan – Exceptional people have a plan. They know where they want to go and they have an idea as to how to get there. They start their careers in corporate America knowing the departments they want to work in and how those departments play into the “Big Picture” of their plan. The average employee wants a job; the exceptional employee wants a career.
- They manage their fear – Everyone is afraid at some time. That’s normal. Exceptional people use their fear to decide on another course of action and next step. Every time I get in front of audiences to speak, I am afraid. #Truth I use that fear to force me to know my craft more every time and practice before every presentation. I’m now convinced I can accomplish all things. (Philippians 4:13)
- They network – To grow personally and professionally, you will need to leave your cubicle and talk to people outside of your department. I am a better salesperson if I know people in marketing. My conversations with them help me understand how and why they design campaigns the way they do. I could even schedule monthly meetings to give them feedback on the effectiveness of the handouts and presentation aids.
- They are educated – Education does not = college. I have worked with some exceptional people who did not have college degrees. The exceptional person reads books, attends conferences and listens to podcasts on their field of expertise. The average employee works 8 AM – 5 PM (and spends a lot of time in the break room).
- They have vision – There is a story about two men working for the railroad in the 1920s. When someone asked one man what he did, he said worked at the railroad. The other man responded, “I work in transportation.” See the difference? The second man had a vision for his job. He knew railroads would go away one day. His vision could transform his role from trains to automobiles to planes and beyond.
I won’t hire average employees. I won’t let me my children be average students. I will not be an “average entrepreneur.” My clients expect exceptional programs and exceptional results from their training events. “Average” has left the building. His work space is occupied by someone who expects more from herself and her coworkers. She is exceptional, and no automation can replace that.
Scientifically Speaking, of course
