The Danger Of Being Average (Why Be Outstanding?)

Why be outstanding? Because being average means,

You are neither bad nor good.

You are not cheap nor premium.

Most importantly, you are neither known and remembered.

In the nutshell, being average is dangerous because you are not good enough to be hired, chosen or bought.

At the end of this topic, I will share with you what is a guaranteed way to be the best and stand out from everyone by "shifting your positioning (and not hard work)."

Now let's look at,

Why in Business the "Average" Fails

1. Price wars: Being "average" you constantly have to defend your product or service rates because there is always someone willing to do what you do for less because you are average. You are not good enough to be the best to fetch premium price.

   
   

2. Lack of loyalty: People might buy from you out of convenience because you are available, but they will leave the second a shinier, cheaper or better option appears.

   
   

3. The "Invisible" Effect: Being "average in business" can also mean pleasing every customer. To please everyone you have to take the safe and middle path. This will make you not stand out. People will not remember you. To stand out in business you must one choose one extreme side while you may choose to remain neutral with others.

Why in life the "Average" Fails

In life, being average leads to complacency: Being the best does not mean being number one. Being the best means aspiring to be better in life, and constantly making improvements.

Being average in life:

Stifles Growth: Once you reach from being a beginner to be the average, the psychological pressure to improve drops, which stifles personal and professional development. Most people in life stops growing after being average. People knows you but never remembers what you do.

Vulnerability to Change: In rapidly evolving environments, the average is a moving target. What is considered "average" today can quickly become obsolete tomorrow.

Lack of Differentiation: Standing out means taking risk of people disagreeing with you. Being different and outstanding requires being unique. Sticking to the average makes you easily replaceable, whether in your career or business.

Limits Potential: The comfort zone of being "good enough" prevents you from discovering your true capabilities and achieving mastery. 

How to Escape The Danger of Being Average?

To survive and thrive in a competitive world, you have to pick a side of the spectrum. For example, in business, escaping from being average means:

Go Premium: If you want to be expensive, you must become hyper-specialized. You aren't just a copywriter; you are a copywriter specifically for B2B SaaS cybersecurity firms. You don't just sell coffee; you sell an exclusive, ethically sourced, artisanal experience.

Go "Cheap & Convenient": If you want to compete on volume, you have to streamline your processes to be the most accessible, fastest, or cost-effective option in your category.

Stand for Something Bold: If you want to be remembered, you need a distinct personality. Hold firm beliefs, focus on a well-defined niche, and don't worry if some people dislike your brand—this indicates you are bold enough to inspire strong loyalty from others.

How can an average Joe or Jane win and stand out in a crowded marketplace?

Any average Joe or Jane can be successful.

For example, I know of a pizza shop the size of a very small room with no signboard, operated by a young couple. It's situated in an ordinary neighborhood and has very few followers on social media.

They concentrate on creating the best pizza possible. You can smell the aroma of their pizza from several shops away, with each ingredient meticulously chosen by hand. They only open for a few hours a day because their pizzas are always sold out.

This strategic decision not only introduces an element of exclusivity but also enables them to uphold a high quality standard. The result?

They are consistently sold out, with customers eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to enjoy their delicious pizza.

They do not need social hype, only to be the best at what they have made up their minds to focus on.

This is an example that, being outstanding does not necessarily require a lot of resources or a massive online presence; rather, it is about focusing deeply on a specific craft and delivering exceptional value to customers.

Any average Joe or Jane can be outstanding. It is a matter of looking for something to do and being the best at what you do. By following these principles, anyone can rise above the noise and become a success in their chosen field.

Ultimately, the biggest risk in any market is being completely forgettable. As the saying goes: "The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference."

To succeed you got to stop being average but be the best in what you do and you of course you need a strategy.

Winning in business, career or life does not mean you need to fight hard. What you need is a strategy. Do you have a strategy?

Here is your strategy!