This quote essentially posits that the state of being average or mediocre is a choice that one imposes on oneself, while the state of being a genius is a gift that one gives to oneself. The idea here is that both mediocrity and genius are not inherent or predetermined, but rather, they are the results of our own actions, decisions, and attitudes towards life and work.
Mediocrity, in this context, is viewed as a state of accepting the status quo, not striving for improvement or excellence, and settling for less. It’s a self-inflicted condition because it stems from a lack of ambition, effort, or the courage to challenge oneself and step out of the comfort zone.
On the other hand, genius is considered as a state of exceptional intellectual or creative power. It’s self-bestowed because it comes from a relentless pursuit of knowledge, continuous learning, hard work, and the courage to innovate and break the norms. Genius is not about being born with extraordinary abilities, but about harnessing one’s potential to the fullest and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
In the context of today’s world or personal development, this quote suggests that we have the power to shape our own destiny. If we choose to remain in our comfort zones and not challenge ourselves, we are choosing mediocrity. However, if we decide to continuously learn, innovate, and strive for excellence, we are bestowing upon ourselves the gift of genius.
For instance, in the workplace, an employee might choose to do just enough to not get fired (mediocrity) or they could constantly seek to improve their skills, take on new challenges, and contribute more than what’s expected of them (genius). Similarly, in personal development, one might choose to remain stagnant and not learn new things (mediocrity) or they could have a growth mindset, continuously learn and evolve (genius).
In conclusion, this quote is a reminder that we are the masters of our own fate. We can choose to be mediocre or we can choose to be geniuses, the choice is ours.
