What is worse than a theoretical zombie epidemic? The Epidemic of Average. Nobody is immune. You might not enjoy how things are going right now, but the truth is you are comfortable with it. Your mind has told you who you are and where you are at is safe. Since being average has not killed you, you and your mind will do everything possible to keep things the way they are (not much differently than a zombie all things considered). I’m not sure where the need to be average began (likely elementary school), but I can guarantee you it is time to stop being average and start making your life and work great. Here’s why:

I crack myself up.

This is what the Epidemic of Average looks like within the United States as of September 2012:

• Over half of working Americans now earn less than $505 per week…
• … while average household debt has increased to over $75,000 per family.
• Plus, the average American saves less than $2,000 per year.
• For over 20 years, half of marriages have ended in divorce.
• Out of the top 56 industrialized countries, the United States ranks in the 30s in education…
• … and overal health.
• Over 65% of Americans over 20 are overweight, with at least a third being clinically obese.

Do you like being average? I sure hope not.

Unfortunately, we do crazy things to stay comfortable with average. We go from one job we hate to another job we hate because we don’t care to meet our own expectations for we want out of our work. People go from one failed relationship to the next with the exact same type of person. Others pay off huge amounts of debt only to go back on a credit card spending spree. You lose twenty pounds and then single-handedly keep a Taco Bell franchise open for the next three months. You might say this is all crazy. I believe this is much more: this behavior is a symptom of the Epidemic of Average. And sadly, there’s more.

Another peculiar indicator the Epidemic of Average is taking root lies in the widespread acceptance of the feeling of luck. You accept where you are presently is a result of the amount of luck you possess. You say things like “I’m not lucky to have a great job” or “I’m not lucky to have a great hoard of money.” Allowing luck to determine the way a person lives and works is simply a lousy excuse to stay comfortable and stay average. There may be events and situations that have put you in a place where you don’t have what others have (money, job, health, and so on), but guess what? Most people — the average — are in the same exact situation. If you resign yourself to being “unlucky,” you’re just making a bold statement of being average. Successful people rise above the circumstances they are in because they understand luck (and being average) is something they can influence.

Now you know the symptoms, so how do you prepare yourself against the Epidemic of Average?

Define where you want to be. Write a goal down and you’ve accomplished something the average person has not. Seriously, write a goal down right now. Does it feel good not being average? Take that feeling and put it to action. Go out and work towards your dreams. I believe you are far from average. Plus, you’re definitely not a zombie.

What are you doing now to prevent the Epidemic of Average later?
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