How I Build My Career As An Average Person

I won’t talk about the moral aspect in societies system of segregation and isolation. This blog is to express my thoughts on the side of less talked category which is the average, in contrast of talking about famous and exceptional successful people. I don’t aim to offend or to down anyone, failing or excelling is neither right nor wrong and how you categorize yourself is up to you and the people around you will see you as how you project yourself.

Nobody is superior, nobody is inferior, but nobody is equal either. People are simply unique, incomparable. You are you, I am I. – OSHO

In term of person’s gifts, talents and ability, the society created factions that identify those who have less to those who have more. It can be based on academic awards and achievements, clothes, profession, income and others. Let me talk about the side of those who fall in between of the low and high category, the average, which I can say where I belong (No, I don’t get offended of being called an average).

When I graduated, I have good grades but not too good to brag about. When I was looking for a job, I already know that I’m average cause I know that I have the ability and knowledge for me to be hired in good company but not to be offered by big salary as those who have latin honor. Then I went to work in an IT industry, I still see myself as average since I get to deliver all my projects with quality on time but on the other hand, I don’t handle the most complex and very important projects.

Before, I thought I would never get promoted and have a good place in the company for I was an average. Let me show you how I build my career as an average person.

1. Belief. Of course it will always start in you. You have to have the conviction and belief that you can do your work whatever it takes. Don’t be disheartened when its getting tough and learn to inspire yourself.
2. Know yourself. Reflect. You must be able to know your strength and weakness to cover bases. If you know your memory is bad, take notes everywhere. If you know you can speak and explain well, you have to volunteer during presentations to showcase your ability. It is okay if you are not technically good in every aspect as long as you manage to deliver.
3. Perseverance. We must be willing to spend extra hours because we might take us 8 hours to do some task that will take a smart person only 4 hours. Who’s counting right? We have to persevere and spend so much more effort and time for to be more than good in what we have to do and that’s alright.
4. Stubbornness. Don’t ever quit. If we cannot make it right on first try, we have to do it over and over and over until we make it. If someone yelled at you and told you that you are not good enough, don’t let it get to you. You will struggle a lot for you will messed up a lot but be stubborn and do what you got to do to improve.
5. Personality and character. Positive outlook in life, having good relationships with friends and colleague also affects our work. Be a nice person with integrity and commitment that the people around you will trust you, remember, it is not always about the technical skills, it has a lot to do with attitude.
6. Humility. Talk to someone who are good and take some advice. If someone told you your fault, listen and try to improve. Accept that anyone’s way may be better than yours. Make sure you help others in need and give back what you learned, don’t forget to share your blessings.
7.  Take Risk.  You have to take risks to learn. If you think you cannot, do it anyway and be sure to learn from experience even it is hard. Again, average person may do things harder than the rest.
8. Be Bold. Be vocal in expressing your thoughts and opinion. If you are experiencing hardship, tell it your manager or whoever and get some help, it is okay to admit it. If you think you are ready for the next step of your career, speak out and ask for more complex projects and prove yourself.
9. Inspirations. Find someone who can inspire you, might be a beauty queen, Ms. Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach who made it despite failing to be Ms. Philippines twice and endure bashing from the public. Or the janitor who never stops working to support his child in college. Anyone who can make you move and you can relate to.
10. Goals. This one might be the scariest one. Sometimes a lot are scared to build their goals (like promotion) because they are afraid to fail, to not reaching it for some reasons or that they are not good enough for it. Goals are your guide to move forward; this will remind you why you are trying very hard despite not being excellent.

Hope you learn even a little from my list! Being average should not mean less opportunity, it means we just need to work harder and grind and work smart. On my last note, if you were to resign, please make sure it is because you want to improve yourself and that you are ready for your next level of your career but not because it is getting tough and you think you cannot do the entire task given to you and you are messing that you wanted out. It is part of the deal if you want to build a career while you are sorting your life to be rich of course alongside the exceptional people.