The real meaning of extraordinary

I have observed the same thing repeatedly. What it takes to stand out in the crowd is not as daunting as many of us think. We usually assume that those who would rise above others necessarily need to do something incredibly brilliant. We tend to complicate the meaning of the word “extraordinary” as if it means something out of this world. Yet, that word simply means “remarkable” or “unusual”. Meanwhile, before we can do something unusual, we must first know what is usual. All you need to do is to look around you. What you see everybody does daily is the “usual”, the commonplace pursuit that keeps everyone busy, but does not result in anything remarkable.

The whole world is full of “average” – average thinking, average results, and average lives. However, I found that living the average life, which the vast majority do, is only a matter of choice. What it takes to stand out is for you to just do something above average, to put something extra on what is already ordinary. In my own life, I usually study to see what an average individual does. I will try to define what is usual and ordinary. Then I’ll go ahead to do more than that. I stretch myself beyond the average. I push the boundaries and raise the bar for myself.
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The result of doing above average is an outstanding outcome. Most of the people we praise as outstanding are those who dared to put an extra on their ordinary. You do not need to be the most naturally talented in your area of niche to become outstanding. You only need to start doing above average, pushing your boundaries, and becoming a better version of yourself daily. Decide to stand out in the crowd by putting an extra effort into your endeavour. That may mean extra time for thinking, planning, setting goals, working, learning, practicing, or expending energy. Whatever you do, become extraordinary.

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Actions for the week

1. You may need to face a moment of truth. Have you been contributing an average effort? How is that working for you?
2. Identify two areas where you can stretch yourself beyond the ordinary. Determine that you will put in the effort. Go ahead and become extraordinary.
3. Average living is a result of average thinking. Most times we cannot elevate ourselves beyond our thinking. Resolve to always think above average.

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A quote to remember
Champions are champions not because they do anything extraordinary but because they do the ordinary things better than anyone else. — Chuck Noll

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Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent
​Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books