What if I told you that the biggest obstacle to creativity and progress in our society isn’t a lack of talent or resources, but our collective acceptance of mediocrity? Celebrating mediocrity kills creativity! The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Yet, in today’s society, we focus more on applauding and appreciating the fall than the rise. Efforts as to the rising of a person are no longer considered. The same award goes to participants of different tasks which involve different processes and different forms of efforts.
How Mediocrity Kills Creativity: The Cult of Average
Lately, some parents find it interesting to appreciate their kids for their academic failure without pushing them to do more. They reluctantly caution their kids for not giving their best. This goes a long way to encourage the children to remain on the surface without actually doing much or stressing. After all, they will get the same reward as those who did more, those who pushed further to be better, and those who added creativity to their work for a beautiful result. This is a world where “good enough” is, “well, good enough.” We praise participants for simply showing up, rather than pushing them to excel. This cult of average has led to a society where people are more focused on blending in than standing out. Again, celebrating mediocrity kills creativity.
When average is embraced, innovation can never be an option. Innovation can never thrive. Innovation suffers. Why should one actually strive for something new when the status quo is endlessly praised?
Celebrating mediocrity kills creativity, and this has its way of hindering progress. This is because we settle for incremental improvements rather than revolutionary ideas. We tend to live in the now alone, just living and dealing with the surface without digging deep for a collective betterment.
When mediocrity is celebrated, excellence is discouraged. Why aim high when average is just enough?
The Strength of Creativity
Creativity on the other hand has the power to drive and maintain progress. One thing that propels us forward is innovation, and this innovation is birthed by creativity.
Creativity has the power to inspire excellence. It encourages us to hunger and strive for more, to push mountains and boundaries, and also to challenge the status quo.
Creativity has the power to promote growth beyond human sentiments. It leads to personal growth just as we learn to doggedly embrace and overcome challenges.
ALSO READ: The Nigerian Creative Industry and Its Bane
How Do We Break Free from Mediocrity?
Society in its fullness is to stand up tall and embrace excellence—real excellence and not the one gotten by cutting corners. Schools, communities, and families should praise and reward outstanding results or achievements. This makes the participants and even onlookers want to do more. It encourages those involved, and this brings tranquility, understanding, and unity in our society, thereby discouraging mediocrity.
Failure should be accepted in good faith, turning it into an opportunity for the betterment of society. It should be viewed as an opportunity to learn and grow, and not an agent to end the entire bearing of the world. The greatest glory in life lies not in never falling, but rising every time we fall.
Society should encourage experimentation, imagination and innovation. This helps foster and keep a culture of creativity amongst the people.
Summary
Societal celebration of mediocrity has deeply-rooted consequences that stifle creativity, discourage excellence, and steal away progress. It’s high time we shifted our attention from applauding the wrong performer, it’s high time we shifted away from encouraging average achievements, to embracing exceptional ones. Let us, in togetherness, break free from the cult and shackles of the average mindset.