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Education

StreetSmarts SM

Mediocrity

By Marc Beauchamp as in almost every businessperson I've had the privilege to
Bankcard Life work with. It's not whether it will show up in your life but,
more importantly, how you will counter it when it does.
here have you settled for mediocrity? As Don't be a Frog
things begin to shift to a more positive out-
look, I want to start discussing high-perfor- Unless you are vigilant, mediocrity will creep up on
W mance strategies I'm passionate about that you. It's akin to the boiling of a frog. What does this have
play a major role in the results we produce across our to do with boiling a frog? You've probably heard of the
businesses and lives. fascinating 19th century science experiment I'm referring
to. As the story goes, researchers found that when they
Let me start with a question: What makes one person far put a frog in a pot of boiling water, the frog instinctively
exceed another who has relatively the same intellectual jumped out immediately. On the other hand, when they
capacity, skill set and resources? put a frog in cold water and put the water to boil over
time, the frog eventually boiled to death.
Performers versus non-performers
I've been observing salespeople, middle management The hypothesis is that the change in temperature is so
and executives for over 30 years and have noticed gradual, the frog doesn't realize it's boiling to death until
several fundamental distinctions that separate the non- it's too late. While the results of the experiment are in
performers from the real producers. When I use the word question, it's a good metaphor for how mediocrity can
distinction, I'm using it in the context of a demonstration slowly take over every area of your life.
of excellence that sets one individual apart from another.
The distinctions I've identified address the necessary
I want to share, at least from my perspective, what are alignment across six domains, which I believe promote
driving mindsets and behaviors that, when diligently the realization of the dream of owning a thriving
practiced, can set anyone free from the chains of business and living an awakened life. These domains
mediocrity. Mediocrity comes from the Latin word medius, are the foundation of what I strive to live and share with
meaning middle and ocris, meaning a rugged mountain. others, whether they are new to the industry or have been
Literally it means to settle halfway to the summit of a in payment processing for years. This is the foundation.
rugged mountain. The six domains

It's a compromise of abilities and possibility, an arbitration The six domains are:
between the drive to excel and the biological urge to settle
for the most comfortable option. It's choosing the easier, • Purpose
softer way. • Possibility
I've seen mediocrity raise its ugly head in my life as well • Planning

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