The Brutal Truth Behind Mediocrity: It’s All Your Fault—You Voted for It

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”— James Clear

That might sting.

It did for me, too.

I didn’t write this post from a mountaintop of perfection. I’m not immune to bad habits, distractions, or the allure of "just one more episode."

In fact, writing the three series this post is based on, Mistakes That Kill Momentum, How to Achieve Mediocrity, and Habits That Actually Lead to Success, wasn’t just about helping others. It was about holding up a mirror.

The Three Roads to Choose From

Let me save you a scroll and give you the three paths, straight up:

1. The Mistakes Path – Death by Drift

You don’t mean to waste time or sabotage your progress, but somehow you:

Never fully commit

Multi-task your way into exhaustion

Confuse busyness with progress

Worry instead of planning

Make excuses instead of taking action

This one feels like you're trying, but treading water. Exhausting. Unsatisfying. A momentum killer if you’re a business owner or entrepreneur trying to grow.

"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." – Rush, Freewill

2. The Mediocrity Path – Comfortable and Compromised

You might not even realise you're on this road. It sounds like:

"Just get through the day."

"Don't rock the boat."

"Blend in."

You stay small. Stay safe. Let the years roll by. You become the human equivalent of a beige filing cabinet.

"Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way." – Pink Floyd, Time

That line says it all. It’s the sound of a life lived by default. Polite. Predictable. And slowly slipping away.

3. The Habit Path – Hard. Honest. Worth it.

This is what successful people actually do:

They act even when it’s miserable.

They do one thing, get it done, and move on.

They choose what matters and do it first.

They stop dithering.

And they take full responsibility for everything in their control.

It’s not flashy. It’s not easy. But it works. And it’s always available. This is the path of behaviour change and real growth.

"I do what it takes 'cause I love how it feels when I break the chains." – Imagine Dragons, Whatever It Takes

You can’t vote for success while living like a spectator.

You can’t complain about results you didn’t work for.And you definitely can’t outsource your choices.

If you’ve been stuck, stuckish, or not quite where you want to be—don’t wait for motivation. Vote differently.

Start small. Start now.Start with this question:

What’s one action I can take today that casts a vote for the life I actually want?

Not the life that’s easiest.Not the life others expect.The one you want.

Because no one else is coming to vote for you.And if you don’t choose it, you’ll drift.

And we all know where drift leads: mediocrity with a side of resentment.

Here’s what I recommend:

Skim the list above. Spot where you’ve been drifting.

Ask which road you’re on today. Not yesterday. Today.

Then make a fresh start with one habit. Just one.

Not because it’s clever. But because it’s true.

You don’t need a guru. You need a mug of tea, some honesty, and a little momentum.

Start voting like you mean it.