?? The BIGGEST fear of MEDIOCRE! A Perspective from my personal experiences and Call to Action ??

?? Ever felt like you / someone is sailing near the shores of life, so calm, safe and serene, yet missing the lane of progression and growth? ???

Welcome to the world of Mediocrity, where the fear of losing holds many captives. "The cosy comfort state" and "the fear of losing what little is gained" keeps most people from reaching their full potential.

Mediocrity is not inherently bad if you're content with the status quo, with the little that you have, and don't aspire to grow big and better. However, if you DO, then a mediocre mindset is the first thing to be kicked out.

In this article, let's understand the crux of Mediocrity, its consequences, and, importantly, how to escape its clutches.

I, too, was once part of this mediocre majority. I evolved from being protective to taking calculated risks and experiencing soaring highs. I will share a couple of instances from my personal dairy. Trust me, overcoming Mediocrity is not very difficult, and you too can!

?? Decoding the Mediocre Mindset: ???

Mediocrity is often misunderstood as having less wealth or being middle class.

But it is NOT about wealth, status, capacity, capability, or talent. Mediocrity is a MINDSET of limitations, fearing the unknown, shying away from challenges and resistance to stepping out of comfort zones. It's a fear of losing the illusioned stability they've built.

The biggest fear of the mediocre is not failure itself but the fear of losing what little they have. This mindset hinders professional, financial, and social growth.

Understanding this fear is crucial. Despite its seeming comfort, Mediocrity leads to missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential.

?? The Comfortable Golden Cage: ??

Picture a bird in a cosy cage, watching the outside world with timid curiosity. That cage, no matter how comfy and precious, limits the freedom to spread wings and fly to greater heights.

The mediocre fear losing their job, relationships, and routines. A fear that keeps them in their comfort zones, never tasting success or feeling the sting of failure.

It's a paradox – being comfortable in discomfort.

?? The Slow Erosion: From Mediocre to Lower Class ??

Mediocrity isn't a static state that sustains staying slow and safe. It isn't a stagnant pond; it's a slowly drying river, eroding the very foundation it rests upon. It's a downward slope.

Avoiding risks leads to missed opportunities, affecting professional, financial, and social growth. Like the tide eroding the shore, time erodes the foundations of the stagnant, leaving them vulnerable to a downward spiral. The erosion is slow, almost imperceptible at first.

??? Financial status is one arena where the fear of losing out is particularly acute. Mediocre resist better financial investments, fearing risks. Even career shifts are seen as unnecessary at times.

But here's the catch: financial stability thrives on calculated risks. Without stepping out, the financial state transforms into a downward spiral, eroding not just finances but also personal aspects of life.

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As time moves forward, inflation takes its toll, and the once-stable ground starts to crumble beneath their feet. The cost of living rises, opportunities shrink, and the mediocre find themselves teetering on the edge of a cliff.

The so-called stable job becomes obsolete, relationships crumble, and routines transform into monotonous chains. Avoiding risks poses the greatest risk—slipping into a lower class financially, socially, and professionally.

The inflation of the world is slowly eating away their comfort zone. Suppose no apt actions to reinflate their aspirations are taken. In that case, Mediocrity will push you into a lower class—financially, socially, and in every other aspect of life.

?? My Personal Prompts: Breaking Free from the Cocoon of Mediocrity ??

Until my mid-twenties, I was protective and worried about losing what I had – a stable job, a comfortable routine, and safe investments.

Here are a couple of instances from my dairy where overcoming the fear of losing a stable job for an onsite opportunity and breaking the fear of losing money to venture into stock investments has turned into the best and biggest rewards. It's a testament to the rewards of calculated risks.

??Aspiration to Work Onsite: Overcoming Fear of Change

In 2011-2012, my career was cruising smoothly. I was a project manager, a role that I enjoyed doing, and it was a stable job. Still, I wanted to experience doing it onsite.

The catch? There were no onsite opportunities in my current account. Fear gripped me as leaving my stable role meant navigating two months of an uncertain job bench period. Also, non-billability was risky, and competition for open positions was fierce.

Despite my aspiration, I hesitated and weaved a comfortable web around my current job. Deep down, the dream of spending at least six months onsite refused to fade.

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I took a bolder step and asked for a release from that stable role. I plunged into the calculated risk of being unbillable for two months. Almost at the end of 2nd month, I found an onsite opportunity.

I travelled onsite and continued there for almost seven years. Not just that, I grew through various client-facing roles, from project manager to program manager to client manager. I played a key function in client engagement and drove two large strategic programs worth $20-25 million.

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Had I succumbed to fear and clung to the familiar, this journey of growth and accomplishment would have remained an unrealized dream. Embracing change catapulted me into a realm of endless possibilities.

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??Investment into Stocks: Conquering Fear of Losing Money

The idea of diving into the stock market intrigued me, but the horror stories of financial disasters kept me away. There was already enough evidence and stories of people losing money in it. I hesitated, like a bungee jumper standing on the edge, unsure if the plunge was worth the risk.

So, like many, I stuck to the safety net of fixed deposits and watched my money grow at a tiring snail's pace. ?

The wake-up call rang me in 2016. I confronted my fear and started studying the stock market. For six months, I keenly observed the game. I did a meticulous study, decoding terminologies, stock selection process, return ratios, investing techniques, and the business itself.

In 2017, I made my move and invested in stocks for the first time. I did face initial losses. The mediocre mindset scoffed, but I persisted, adapting and evolving. I further enhanced my study, redefined my investment strategy, and continued investing.

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Fast forward to today, I am sitting on a stock portfolio that has grown beyond my wildest dreams. Today, I not only confidently navigate my investments but also guide others.

Does it mean all of my chosen stocks are 100% foolproof? Certainly NOT. However, I'm convinced that, even with occasional setbacks, my returns surpass conventional avenues by a big margin.

??*NOTE ?? – This post is NOT financial advice to jump into the stock market. Do your proper research and analysis, and understand your risk profile, holding period, etc., before investing in the stock market.

There are many other instances where I have literally seen exponential growth after breaking the mediocrity mindset cocoon. Each of my articles (at LinkedIn OR wowmanagers.com ) is an expression of my learnings, experiments, experiences, and accomplishments. You may want to read them for further instances.

The very fact that I am writing this bold article about Mediocrity, in itself, is the primary testimony that I have started taking my actions, and they are yielding positive results.

So, I strongly vouch for all of you to think and rise above the mediocre mindset and align with the winning mindset.

??? Read more about winning mindset @ https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/winning-isnt-plan-losing-becomes-norm-janagoudar-s-jana--xq0wc

???? A Call to Action: FIGHT the FEAR, TAKE calculated RISKS, and SET FREE from the GOLDEN CAGE??

Breaking free from the golden cage demands courage. To soar, you must leave the familiar. Visualize the exhilaration of breaking free, armed with knowledge and a burning desire.

The journey from mediocre to extraordinary is not a leap into the unknown; it's a step towards self-discovery and fulfilment.

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??? Steps to Break Free from Mediocrity:

1.????? Firstly, acknowledge the fact of being trapped in a mediocre mindset. Trust me, it isn't easy to convince yourself.

2.????? Break the fear to embrace the unknown.

3.????? Take calculated risks. Without risks, there are no rewards. And without rewards, life remains confined to the ordinary.

4.????? If you fail, appreciate the courage to take the first step. Failure is part of the journey—learn from it.

5.????? Loop from Step 2

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NOTE: Taking risks isn't about mindlessly plunging into uncertainty; it's about facing the unknown armed with knowledge, preparation, and a burning desire to achieve more. Picking the right direction, trajectory, is equally important.

??? Read more about the importance of Right direction @ https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/janagoudar-s_success-direction-speed-activity-7121576047791247360-xiQh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

The central message is clear: Fight the fear, take calculated risks, and set yourself free from the golden cage. If you don't, you will have to bite the biggest loss of regret of never venturing beyond.

??? Read more about systematic Risk management @ https://wowmanagers.com/first-steps-to-risk-management/

??Conclusion: From Mediocrity to Extraordinary ??

Please recognize that the biggest fear of the mediocre is not the fear of failure but the fear of losing what little they have. This fear is a self-imposed limitation that can be overcome.

The journey from Mediocrity to Extraordinary is challenging but worth it. Convert these challenges into opportunities with calculated risks, and each will be a stepping stone towards a brighter future.

It's time to redefine Mediocrity – not as a static state but as a starting point, a launchpad for greater heights.

So, break the fear, take that leap, and watch as life unfolds its myriad possibilities.? ???? The world beyond the shores is waiting for you to explore and conquer the vast sea of possibilities. ??

Read further detailed article on MEDIOCRITY @ https://wowmanagers.com/fear-of-mediocre/