One of my favourite lines to write when giving someone a copy of one of my books is ‘be anything but average.’ Others are ‘make it happen’, ‘be your best’ or my old school motto, ‘aim high’.
I have always had a fear of being average. To me the word average has strong connotations of mediocrity. If you have been described as below average you have been given something to work on. If you are deemed above average, then you are on your way to success. It came to my attention that those who shine brightly at the top of the class are noticed, and those who battle at the bottom, hopefully also get special attention. Somehow those in the middle may not be spotted and may therefore fall through the cracks with their potential going unnoticed.
It was with this in mind that I drew up criteria for a learner in Grade 8 four years ago. I wanted to create a bursary for a girl (I am a mother of sons!) who was diligent and hard-working, who displayed leadership qualities, participated in sport, was involved in and supportive of her community, and was scholastically sound. She did not have to excel at anything, but she had to try really hard. I have proudly tracked this student’s progress and watched her improve and perform. Imagine my delight now that she is in matric, and has been made head girl!
Along the way I have learnt a lot about averages. Did you know that the average novel sells 2000 copies? Or that on average we spend 90% of our time indoors? Or that on average the human brain can only remember four things at one time? The average person sleeps for about 220 000 hours during their lifetime, which amounts to 25 years.
If you tell someone they are average that is what they will believe. They will remain average. Always encourage others. Encourage yourself too. Look hard for potential, everyone has something that they can work on to improve themselves.
- Everyone has a different understanding of average, what average means to one might mean something else to another.
- Allow the thought of being average to be a motivator.
- It is important to set goals for yourself, to work hard to reach them and become better than average…ie anything but average!
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