Failure and it’s Cousin

[Where I See Fear – IV]

Fear of failure abounds. It lurks behind many of our career decisions and life choices. But we fear failure’s cousin, I think, even more.

What could possibly be related to failure—perhaps not a sibling, but close enough to be family?

Being average.
Blending in.

Sensationalism and extremes sell. They get clicks. And likes. And followers.

The stories we tell (and love to consume) are the stories of self-made millionaires. The uber rich with personal jets and Bugattis. The ultra-healthy, vegan, Iron Man athlete, Instagram influencer. The founders of billion dollar tech startups. The Ivy League doctorates . . . that finished in half the time.

Anything by comparison is average. Anything by comparison is a type of failure.

Until failure is not a comparative measurement of the media’s sensational story telling but a barometer of our everyday calling, we will suffer from the fear of being average.