This week, I want to tackle a slightly different subject: standing out in life. What separates the good from the great? It’s a cliché, sure, but let’s talk about clichés for a moment. Major Major, a character from Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22,” embodies the ultimate cliché of mediocrity: “Major Major had been born too late and too mediocre. Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.” In a world where standing out is increasingly difficult, we often encounter the challenge of avoiding this fate. So, how do we rise above mediocrity?
What is a Cliché?
A cliché is defined as something that’s common knowledge, lacking original thought. It’s true that original ideas are rare—anything you can think of has likely already been done. If it hasn’t been created, it’s probably already patented. In a world where originality is hard to come by, what do we do? The short answer is: consistency and excellence.
Consistency and Virtuosity
In CrossFit, they use the term “virtuosity,” which means doing the common things uncommonly well. This is key to standing out. Anyone can make a video, but it’s the follow-through—editing, mastering, writing descriptions, and more—that makes the difference. Today’s generation has all the tools to be anything they want, but they need to work harder and do things better than everyone else.
The Changing Landscape of Work
We’re in a time where AI is becoming more prominent, handling tasks like keyword analysis and marketing. Despite this, the human touch is what ultimately resonates with clients. This principle applies to finding a soulmate or advancing in your career—you need to be more than just average.
Cultivating Multiple Skills
It’s no longer enough to be good at one thing. We need to be versatile, cultivating multiple skills. For example, in the music industry, artists who can sing, write, and produce their own music stand out. The same applies to business. To stand out, you need to continuously learn and improve your skill set.
Hard Work and Growth
Too often, people do the bare minimum at work and expect big rewards. Growth requires showing initiative and a willingness to take on new challenges. Your boss gives you new tasks to test your capabilities. By proving you can handle more, you gain leverage for raises and promotions.
The Importance of Effort
Doing the same thing every day and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. You need to show that you’re willing to grow and improve. This applies to every aspect of life, from keeping your room organized to putting in real effort at the gym. It’s about being more than just a cliché.
Striving for More
Virtuosity is about striving to be more and to be better. In business, it’s about what makes you stand out. Are you willing to learn new things and evolve your skills? The best way to answer these questions is to keep pushing yourself, learning, and growing.
By embracing these principles, you can separate yourself from the rest and truly stand out in both life and business. Don’t let mediocrity, as illustrated by Major Major, define you. Instead, aim for consistency, excellence, and continuous growth to make a lasting impact.