Standards
Is it just me? Am I being too harsh or expecting too much?
Have you noticed that mediocre is the new average? Like before if someone was average, it was like OK that’s to be expected but now its like we accept mediocre as the standard?
Cause now that means that the old average is the new above average. Which just sets up a whole heap of issues in my book. For one it makes people who are average feel that they are good when in fact they just average and middling. Its also like well you need to tell them they have done a good job and gas their ego when in reality its not like they went above and beyond their job description. Its not like they did a wonderful job its just like they did their job the way it should be done.
But then the issue is that so many people are mediocre that being capable is seen as extraordinary right? And yea you may say I’m expecting too much but I’ll give a pass to people that young or new to doing something. I’m talking about folk who have been on the job for years and still mediocre.
Still I not really talking about mediocre I more interested in the new above average or old average. It worries me sometimes cause sometimes I just do what needs to be done, what I think is average and I start getting all these kudos and I’m thinking but I really didnt extend myself at all. Does that mean I’m some sort of genius or that I can skate through life doing a bare minimum and still get props. Or does it mean that in society we feel that we need to congratulate or praise anyone who does anything right? Also makes me wonder how hypocritical the people praising me are. Do they know I just working old average or do they actually think I’m above average?
Its plays with the willingness to put in extra time or effort. Scary! And then on the other side you’re expected to give glowing reports about people that in the old days would be seen as struggling. Man have standards dropped!
When did you drop the standards?
Still same thing could be said about morals I guess cause a lot a things that used to be frowned upon now are the norm.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:50 pm I know where you are coming from on this one. In fact, I have a good example right now. A piece of software was delivered fron our vendor, with minimal instructions on installation. I have been following these minimal instructions to the “T” and whenever I buck up on a problem, I shoot this guy from the vendor company an email. He then responds like , ” Oh yeah, I forgot to send that file”, or “Oh yeah, you need to add this info to the config file”, or something so, right. As the deadline to have this in was rapidly approaching, my manager finally got the guy from the vendor company on the phone and convinced him to set aside some time for him to do a webex and work along with me to get the thing installed. At the end of the webex session, (during which I mostly sat and watched, as there were a number of issues, which are above my knowledge level, in fact the vendor guy had to be conversing with the apps programmer, etc.) when everything was installed, my manager and others were congratulating me on doing a good job, and I was saying to myself, “But I didn’t do anything!”. 80 Welcome to the Tower of Babel, Jdid!
September 19th, 2007 at 3:00 pm This post is applicable to just about everything…everyone seems to only give their most average efforts. In their vocations, their families, their lives. Why are we so lazy these days??? Glad your a new member of this site.. I was getitng tired of MB>….JUST Kidding…….
September 20th, 2007 at 7:38 am […] tell you who he is, but many of my regular readers will be familiar with him already. Go check my new mystery author out, people, and lets hope that he will blog at the Tower […]
September 20th, 2007 at 7:44 am Bwoy, C.P., sometimes I get tired of myself too, so ah nuh nutten.