Why do the vast majority strive for mediocricy?

In every job I've had, the majority of my co-workers do a half-beep job. I am a nursing student and take my profession very seriously. I have people's lives in my hands. And, I always try to put my feet in my patient's shoes. I do it for my patients and honestly its having integrity. So why do you think people in all careers whether it be a construction worker or a doctor strive for mediocricy? I have my own answer I'm curious to what you guys will say.

Do you think they strive for it, or do they just settle for it? Without the inner motivation to do one's job with excellence and care, many jobs don't have much extrinsic motivation for outstanding work -- merit pay, for example, leadership opportunities, privileges, etc. And people have so many pressures and demands on their lives, if you don't have the reason to do better it's too easy to just be "good enough." I think sometimes people also burn out -- sometimes from putting heart and soul into a job without enough attention to self-care, and then not seeing the results (either intrinsic, for example, teaching students who don't seem to want to learn) or extrinsic (everyone else seems to be just coasting and rewarded and recognized at the same level as you.)


There is also the theory of the "Peter Principle": that people are promoted to the level of their incompetence. There is some logic to that: if you do well at your job, you're likely to get promoted. But jobs change at different levels. So, for example, someone who is a great engineer is promoted to being a supervisor. But that ends up demanding a new set of skills that the person doesn't happen to have. So he/she is no longer an outstanding performer, and so isn't promoted again. But on the other hand, he/she isn't functioning dreadfully, so the person isn't fired either. It's hard to back down from a promotion that means better money, status, etc. so people end up staying in jobs they're not that hot at and don't like nearly as well as what they were promoted from!


Congratulations on your professional attitude. I do believe that if you continue to do your work with care and skill you will be happier in your chosen work than those who are just getting by.

for some people it's apathy, for others it's the middle of the road because then you have no one to disappoint and not too much expected of you otherwise.

People are mostly small minded and self centered. They lack vision or real passion for life, out side of their own. Plus it is tough to be consistently exceptional. I think it just wears most people out.

most people are just trying to survive. I don't take such a harsh stance on people, most of us are fragile and weak they just don't admit it. You have a important job, most people don't. I'm a painter myself, I'm get paid like crap no matter how good a job I do or bad, so I tend not to care that much. So if you see some paint on your floor or a line not so staight maybe I painted your house.

This is as much a question of philosophy as it is a question of psychology. Here is my take.

If someone tries with all their ability to accomplish something and fail, they have no one to blame but themselves. However, if we build in some excuses (the teacher was worthless, The class/shift starts too early in the morning, or the classic "I'm not a [math/details/you name it] person"), then the eventual failing or shortcoming can be attributed to something allegedly beyond one's own control. Thus, the person protects his or her own ego from the threat of failure by outsourcing the responsibility for one's own incompetence.

I like your attitude. Only by being fearless in your pursuit of success can you be confident that you didn't miss an opportunity for advancement. It's called work ethic.

Good luck with the nursing career.

Here's my answer...

You live somewhere in the South don't you?

If you do... that's why.

If you don't... you are a judgmental perfectionist and you need to lighten up a bit Margaret houlihan penobscot!