Mediocrity scares me.
Settling scares me.
I don't want to look back on my life and say, "Eh, not really great, but not really bad." That terrifies me.
But I'll be honest, this didn't scare me until recently. Leading up to the summer of 2015, my life was mediocre. Sure, some cool and exciting events occurred but nothing worth mentioning. As soon as I realized this, I put myself in fifth gear, full speed ahead towards living a life worth mentioning -- a life that I won't get bored reading about when I've reached the end of my timeline.
We weren't placed on this planet to simply go through the motions. Some of us are here to master the motions, some are here to change the motions, and others are here to inspire others' motions. But not one of us is here to stare blankly as the world passes us by.
I think we are all fully capable of surprising others. But we should spend our days trying to shock ourselves. Push your own limits and you'll stand in awe of yourself as you accomplish something you never thought you could. I think that is a good daily goal: shock yourself today.
Mediocrity is poison. Mediocrity is neither bad nor good. Mediocrity is simply... existing. Not stepping on anyone's toes, not taking command. Not living up to potential. You have talents you have yet to discover and a voice that has yet to be heard. You are intelligent and savvy, embrace it.
Live a life you would enjoy looking back on. Live a life worth bragging about. There is nothing wrong with bragging as long as you have worked for whatever you are bragging about. You are not mediocre, do not treat your life or yourself as such. There is a place for your talents in this world, so rise to the occasion. Model your life to be like the one you get lost daydreaming about. Be more than what you have been up to this point. Be the best you that you can be. Be unforgettable. Work against the temptation of mediocrity -- no matter how easy it may be.