# When Did You Finally realize (and Accept) That You Are MEDIOCRE? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 28, 2002, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-you-finally-realize-and-accept-that-you-are-mediocre/125936 "2002-08-28T14:11:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![JayElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@JayElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayElle)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2002, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-you-finally-realize-and-accept-that-you-are-mediocre/125936/61 "2002-09-02T15:04:51Z")
I realized my mediocrity when applying for grad school. A ight came on and I suddenly knew that, while I loved my field, I would never be particularly good at my work; I would struggle to get published, I would struggle to get field work and grants, I would just _plod_. I was sad and depressed until I stumbled onto something I’m actually _good_ at doing. I no longer feel mediocre - I feel successful! Realizing that you’re not above average can open the door to outstanding possibilities. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2002, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-you-finally-realize-and-accept-that-you-are-mediocre/125936/62 "2002-09-03T05:21:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ralph124c \* > \*\*Surely, the saddest day in anyone’ s life, is the day that he/she realizes that he is never going to win the Nobel prize, > t-keela"_I haven’t checked, but I’d bet there are some Nobel winners older than forty._" or head a major corporation, or will the Davis Cup. We who are condemned to a life of obscurity, know in our hearts that we are just “average”. > In my case, my life has been marked by unremitting failure… I wanted to be a mathematician, but as an undergrad, I soon learned that I had no ability to be one. I then changed careers, and became a moderately successful engineer. Now, as I turn 40, > t-keela"_I just turned forty also and I figure I’ve got another forty (at least) left in me._" > I am beset with the knowledge that : > > ## -I will never be rich = t-k _$ is this what defines success?_ -I will never be a CEO = t-k _you mean like the average person!_ -my lawn has crabgrass = t-k _at least you have a lawn…_ > > How did YOU cope with the realization of your own mediocrity?☹ \*\* ``` t-k *The fact that you are able to understand this question proves you're above average.* ``` Wake up and smell the roses, sounds to me like you’re actually doing pretty damned good! Well above average in fact, you think the “average” person ever even thinks about Grad. school. Man, you’ve got a profession which pays a hell of a lot more than min. wage (that’s mediocre, below average). You’ve got free time obviously, you’re sitting at a PC, something else the Mediocre wouldn’t have, time or extra money for a computer. Unless of course you’re at a college PC, or at work in the office! When’s the last time you spent 12 hours straight busting your ass in the sun, no breaks, at min. fuckin’ wage. Just to make ends meet! Ooops, sorry we were talking about you! Anyway…get over your midlife bullshit…go buy a fuckin’ Harley and take the old lady for a ride. Go camping in the mountains for a while. You’ll feel a whole lot better about things when you remember what’s important! A shot of Gold Cuervo doesn’t hurt once in awhile either. Peace…🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-you-finally-realize-and-accept-that-you-are-mediocre/125936.md?page=3)