My first business venture was called “Bagels on Wheels” when I was 16.
I thought I could get people to sign up to get bagels and donuts delivered to their house on Saturday morning. I couldn’t get one customer to sign up. The idea was so bad that I didn’t have to waste months trying to make it work.
My second business venture was my college band “Waterdog.” We worked hard but were just average. The challenge was that we would experience occasional victories that made us believe we might be on the right path to success. It wasn’t until 4 years had passed that we realized we were still in the same place that we were when we started.
Sure, we had a great time; I guess if you are ever going to be average, then let it be while you are in a college rock band.
However, being average in your business or your relationships wastes everyone’s time. Who hasn’t stayed at a job or a relationship because it wasn’t horrible but average?
The fog of Average is confusing and makes it more difficult to see that you are either missing an opportunity to improve them or move on to something else.
Seth Godin calls this “the dip” in one of his books about knowing when to quit vs. when to stick it out.
So please, beware of Average and thank Horrible for not wasting more of your time.
My first kiss was with a girl who is ended up being a Nun.
How is that for “Horrible”?
-Andy