Assume You are Below Average

Quite the limiting and negative title for this perspective, right? Assuming you are below average is you telling yourself that you are not good at something. No one wants to be average in school, that is a C! People want to achieve and get the A’s, they want to pass with flying colors. Saying you are below average means you are not the one exceeding expectations. Why would you assume you are below average?

By assuming you are below average you are not self-limiting, you are admitting that you still have much to learn and are more inclined to find ways to learn and grow.

96 percent of cancer patients claim to be in better health than the average cancer patient.

94 percent of professors say they are better-than-average teachers.

93 percent of drivers say they are safer-than-average drivers.

All of these people who claim to be above average cannot be above average. It is a statistical impossibility. They are overestimating their ability and in doing so, believe they are better than the normal person. They believe that when bad things happen to others it is because of their lack of ability or skill but when it happens to themselves, it is the fault of chance or bad luck.

Assuming you are below average provides an honest assessment of the probability of others in the world around you being better than you. There will always be people smarter than you, more wealthy than you, or better than you at something. Why wouldn’t, or couldn’t, the “average” person be better than you? Why would, or could, you be better than the “average” person?

By taking the viewpoint that you are below average you are opening yourself up to the possibility of unlimited improvement. You open yourself to learn from everyone because you let yourself believe that you can learn from anyone because anyone can know than you. It is a selfless action and choice to believe that you can learn from others. It is a humbling realization. It is a necessary realization in order to achieve what you want to achieve. The person who learns and grows the most is not the person who believes they are already the best. The person who learns and grows the most is the person who believes they have everything still to learn.

Assume you are below average until you can create an undeniable proof of achievement, knowledge, and understanding that you have reached the pinnacle of where you want to be. This perspective and acceptance of this idea will fuel you to continue living a life dedicated to learning and improvement. Assume you are below average until it is impossible to be anything but extraordinary.