Monday Morning Motivational Message - Ordinary

How important a role does 'ordinary' play in your life?

Many of us constantly strive to be the best, to be more, to push our boundaries. Dr. Arthur Brooks, the Harvard professor and self-proclaimed happiness expert, refers to these people as "Mad Scientists." 

Brooks defines a "Mad Scientist" as someone who is driven by an extreme dedication and passion. They dislike the status quo and are willing to take extreme risks to get what they want or end up where they want to be. Mad Scientists are often the people who make ground-breaking discoveries because of their out-of-the-box thinking and methods.

But is there a place for everyday, ordinary thinking? Of course there is, and it is vital to be ordinary.

As I look back on my life, it's those ordinary times that end up being the most meaningful. It's lying in bed with your significant other as the sun is just breaking the horizon and talking about your hopes and fears. It's having that weekly phone call with your daughter while she's at college when she lets slip how much she loves you and her mom. It's having a mentee you haven't talked to in years show up on your doorstep while on a family vacation to tell you how much your guidance meant in their lives.  

If you think about it, rarely does a single moment completely change your life. The changes are gradual and incremental. Most often, they are a byproduct of your decisions and habits over the long haul.

Your life is a product of the choices you make and implement daily.

My first book, Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles To Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life, was my version of what it took to become a "Mad Scientist." But what I've come to understand is that the extraordinary in our lives usually comes from the ordinary way that we live them.

Our problem is that we expect big changes to generate big results immediately, and that rarely happens. It's the small, daily increments that add up over time to make a significant impact.

I've often used this quote in my writings or on podcasts. The saying is credited to Usain Bolt, who became the fastest man in the world when he broke the 9.60 mark in the 100-meter dash at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. "I spent four years learning how to run nine seconds, and so many people give up on their dreams after only a few months."

I would never tell someone not to strive to live their best purpose. Often, living that way necessitates developing and using the "Mad Scientist" mentality. But it also means understanding the importance of using the ordinary, sustained over time, to get you to the top of the mountain.

Please leave me a comment about the impact of the ordinary in your life. Your opinions and perspectives are valuable, and I'd appreciate hearing from you.