The Value of Being Mediocre

Recently a woman I know through CrossFit told me that I inspire her. She commented that I am “so good.”

The feedback surprised me, because I feel like I’m the last person to inspire anyone in CrossFit.

I am typically the last one to finish a workout. I tend to rank lowest of the people who post their weights and times in the leaderboard app. I struggle through many of the movements.

While grateful for the compliment, I also suggested that maybe they should be looking to other women in class for inspiration. Our gym has many strong women, who have been doing CrossFit a lot longer than I have and are objectively excellent in their technical skills, speed, and strength.

She clearly sees those women, but according to her, they are “in another league.” Which, they are.

Attainable Inspiration

Her point was that I offer her attainable inspiration. As a relative newcomer to CrossFit, those women are at a level that she can’t even imagine from where she is now.

On the other hand, she can see herself eventually getting to where I am. It doesn’t feel so out of reach for her.

Our conversation landed deeply with me.

The Resistance to Mediocre

Fitness culture, and personal development culture in general, tends to be about constantly striving for excellence. Many of us are conditioned to value being the best. Failing that, we might as well not even get into the game.

High achievers don’t want to be “mediocre.” Mediocre feels like settling.

This can have a debilitating impact, leading us to avoid activities in which we are not able to play on the highest level. Even in activities where we can excel, the constant striving to improve, grow, and be the best you can be can rob us of the joy of playing.

The Value of Mediocre

At the extreme, the pursuit of excellence and the desire to avoid being mediocre can result in perfectionism — a disease I know well.

The feedback I received from this woman reinforced the value of not being perfect.

More pointedly, it reinforced the value of being mediocre. Because my “mediocre” is someone else’s goals.

It reinforced the value of showing up and being seen in my struggle. Because my struggle is what someone else aspires to.

It reinforced the value of accepting where I am, because where I am is someone else’s ideal.

Sometimes my struggle with CrossFit leads me to think about quitting. I don’t want people to see me in my weakness. But the feedback from this woman taught me that by showing up and being visible in my own struggle, I show others what is possible.

Seeing the journey up close removes some of the mystery of it. Others who are just starting can see a path. They see how this can be attainable to them. It doesn’t feel so out of reach.

Like any other lesson I learn in the gym, this one applies just as forcefully in the world outside the gym.

Being seen in our process — even in our struggle — has value for those who are behind us on the path.

I don’t need to be perfect. In fact, I can be decidedly mediocre.

I just need to be me, to show up as I am. And in showing up that way, I can help others.

Perhaps you might find the same applies to you, too.