Guest Blog Post by Susanna Mittermaier

So often we choose to downplay the things that make us different – that make us special….

When we do this, we not only create an environment where everyone is normal, we encourage an environment where everyone is mediocre.

There are many main factors that people disguise in order to ‘fit in’. They are often tied to ethnicity, religion and sexuality, but it’s often the subtler differences that people can downplay in order to feel more accepted – their exceptional talents, skills and abilities.

The need to feel normal is an incredibly powerful force; so much so that it can leave many people unconsciously trying to appear unremarkable. This means many people are often hesitant or unwilling to share the skills and talents that they are most gifted at.

Here are four sure signs to check in and see if you have fallen prey to mediocrity:

Money troubles
When trying to be mediocre, you will undermine your own ability to earn. Money is about receiving; if you are stopping yourself from ‘shining’, you cut off your ability to receive abundance. You make yourself non-relevant; you make others’ point of view more valuable than yours. With this mindset, even if you ask for more money in your life, you are not ready to receive it.

Constant struggle
If you are struggling with life – if nothing comes easy to you – it is often because you are being mediocre. Once you go beyond the Tall Poppy syndrome and you don’t care about others’ demands on you to be mediocrity, you become unassailable. You feel an incredible level of freedom, ease and joy, and life tends to work in your favor.

Depression, anxiety and dissatisfaction
If you are feeling depressed or depleted, it is common to turn to therapy or medication. But underneath these symptoms often lies the root cause that you’re not choosing the life you really want. You are choosing to remain mediocre.

Fear of future judgement
Fear and avoidance of future criticism can compel you to remain mediocre. If you tend to focus on judgements that might come up in the future, if you are paranoid before judgements come, then this will stop you from shining in whatever way is possible for you.

If judgements come, the most effective tool is to ignore them. It may sound ridiculous, but it really is that simple!. It takes a while to learn how to do this, but one simple tool is to realize that everything is simply a point of view.

When faced with judgement, just tell yourself ‘interesting point of view, they have this point of view’. Also, acknowledge your willingness to accept their judgement of you: ‘Interesting point of view, I have this point of view that their judgement is relevant’.

Once you stop trying to be mediocre and making others’ limitations more relevant than the brilliance you are, that is when you can be a gift to the world. How many people can you inspire by choosing to be different; choosing to be exceptional?

Susanna Mittermaier is a licensed clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and author of the #1 international bestselling book, Pragmatic Psychology: Practical Tools for Being Crazy Happy. As a global speaker, Susanna offers a new paradigm on psychology and therapy called Pragmatic Psychology. She is also a certified facilitator for Right Voice for You, a special program by Access Consciousness. She has a new online course available called, ‘How Different Are You Willing to Be?’! Enter code: BEDIFFERENT to receive 40% off!