Celebrating mediocrity stunts potential greatness. I think
it is a shame that all too often, humans live and die without becoming masters
of something. Few truly know excellence when they see it because very few have
worked hard enough to experience it.
When I began taking lessons from a master pianist when I was
13 years old, my life was transformed. I was thrust into a world of high
competition, masterful music, and expert performers. My teacher demanded hours
of practice each day and was not satisfied unless I had exhausted my all to the
instrument each week. Self-pity ensued on many an occasion and I failed countless
times, yet I became ignited by something. Heavy practice was required, but
gradually I began to see that I was producing bits of perfection. Through the
hardship, I was progressing. I tasted excellence. Four years later I was
winning competitions and receiving superior ratings in performances. I knew I
could never again be content with mediocrity because I was now a witness of
excellence.
Throughout my childhood I never received many harsh
corrections or critique from teachers inside and outside of school, and I
received many a participation ribbon regardless of my effort level or
achievement. As I grew older, I was advised to become “well-rounded” and was
constantly told not to “push myself too hard.” I believe these kinds of
practices have resulted in a global culture where any kind of critical
appraisal is considered inappropriate and excellence is rare. This foundational
mindset is instilled in individuals during their youth, and by the time they
are grown it has been buried courtesy of society by the incessant assurances
that their incompetence is completely acceptable.
J.K. Rowling spoke with truth when she said, “It is
impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously
that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by
default.”
One simply cannot be “well-rounded” and become a master
gymnast, violinist, artist, mathematician, etc. If what they were doing were
easy, everyone would do it.
We are told we are “special,” yet this only enables children
and adults to further indulge in self-entitlement. Because mediocrity is
treated in such a way, people are content in believing that their work is
perfectly adequate, and they make no further efforts to progress. In reality,
their ability to recognize weakness is impaired.
I certainly do not mean to suggest that we all be
heartlessly frank with our fellows. However, it is rather difficult to set a high standard of achievement for anyone if critique is withheld out of fear for impropriety. I believe there
must be a greater distinction between what is mediocrity and what is
excellence; otherwise, greatness will cease to exist.