I don’t like the word “normal.”
Normal is average, and average isn’t impressive.
It’s also not what builds successful careers and makes people rich.
What does normal look like?
- 85% of people hate their jobs
- Total U.S. credit card balance is $1.079 trillion
- 33 million Americans are addicted to social media
- Most can’t cover a $1,000 emergency without debt
This is normal, and I want no part of it.
You shouldn’t, either.
How to escape being normal
Think of it this way: Most people are normal because normal is average.
If you want to be like most people (stressed, in debt, living paycheck to paycheck, and believing they will never be able to retire), then your best course of action is to make normal decisions.
But if you want something more in life…
If you want to be your family’s first millionaire…
If you want to get up every morning with a smile…
You need to start making abnormal decisions. Decisions that help you achieve your goals and dreams.
The first step is understanding what you want.
“I want to make a lot of money!” is a horrible goal. Don’t do that.
“I want to retire by 45 and move to Belize” is a much better goal. It’s tangible. It’s specific. And it’s achievable for a lot of people.
So, understand exactly what your goals are. This is critical.
Then, every big decision you make should support that goal.
That job promotion you don’t feel ready for? Who cares, do it anyway.
That new car that looks super slick but is expensive? Save it.
That friend who wants you to get drunk with them every Friday? Nope.
Many of these decisions won’t be easy, but they are critical.
This reminds me of a huge job opportunity I got when I was 30. My company had eliminated a layer of management above me and wanted me to take over as the director of Information Technology.
I had no leadership experience. Hell, I was only 30 years old!
Every ounce of me wanted to say no. I wasn’t ready. There’s no way I can suddenly become the boss of people twice my age.
But who cares? I did it anyway. I learned as I went.
And that decision put me on a new career track with a substantially higher salary trajectory. I went from software money (which was good) to management money (which was great).
Most would have said no. That would have been the normal decision.
I said yes, figured it out as I went, and made a lot of money.
Saturday challenge: What’s ONE DECISION you can make today that’s abnormal? That makes you a bit nervous? Start making decisions that help you rise above mediocrity.
You’re better than average, and you know it.
Chat next week!
– Steve
