Why Being A Mediocre, Untalented And Unambitious Person Is Not A Bad Thing After All

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

That's how I describe myself, and I think it fits just as well.

Despite a somewhat particular appearance, I'm just like this.
I don't have any particular vice or talent, I have a squeaky nasal voice, I don't particularly attract attention (now is an exception since I'm writing this) nor I ask for it.
I am the kind of person who's always there, but no one can really tell when he/she arrived, or what are his/her qualities and flaws are.

My only qualities are being a good organizer and a good listener.
My peculiar flaws are being boring, pedant and too "soft".

I described myself this way to my friends, family and girlfriend, and they got upset.
Especially my girlfriend, who describes herself as modest, untalented and insipid (she's nothing of the sort) got upset and said it's not true.

I myself see it as a good thing. Not meddling with big things I don't understand, keeping myself to the side, never taking the spotlight.

Let someone else be the protagonist.

I'm just a side character.

We are taught from childhood to be competitive, to strive for excellence. That never took root in me.

I had excellent grades, but did not care much about them or what others thought of that.

I tried to make it in the Army at 18, got turned away due to a pre-existing condition. Patience.

The only particularity of my teens was getting into a youth cultural organization (which I won't name, but occupies itself of voluntary and social work, alongside cultural initiatives) at 14.

By 15 I was Junior Team Leader of the boys' sections of my city. After the age of 18, I was eligible to the position of Deputy Overseer of the boys section.

At 20, I was in the regional committee and Overseer of my province (Lecco), and I still am.

My only good qualities are organizing and being precise. I didn't aim to that, never had the ambition. Yet here I am. I just put passion into it and it all came by itself.

Someone told that I used my being unassuming and so in particular to make my own, hefty raise.

I think it was just passion.

And you?

What do you think of mediocre, unambitious people?

It is fair that they reach high positions or succeeds where more ambitious, goal driven people failed?

[Girther10]

A creative and interesting argument for mediocrity.
Creative is the key word.
Your thesis is that you are just average, and that’s ok with you. You present some reasons for how you assess yourself, but it seems you overlook some very positive traits, by minimizing them.
“My only qualities are being a good organizer and listener”.
These qualities are not common, they’re considered traits necessary for success in any endeavor.
I think your narrative is conflicting in the way you talk about traits of mediocrity, mixed in with the traits that are good, yet you downplay the positive traits, and I’m not sure why.
I think you are wise beyond your years.
Good interesting read, thanks for sharing.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Thanks for your opinion :).
What I meant was that I never look or act in a particular way, always keep to the side.
The point of the Take was that there is to be aware of the people who keep at the side, because they can do and go beyond what would be reasonably imaginable.
But not many seemed to have took it.

[Girther10]

You’re right, and I got that exact point, that there’s always the need for backup support no matter what you’re doing. Followers are important, because they give a reason for leaders to lead... you seem like you would be the lead follower... the next to take the mantle, and in turn, probably more successful than others, because of your pre-existing condition, which enabled you to become more ready to assume the leadership role- a wise approach.

[Lance1965]

Most people are mediocre. That is what makes a average human being but being unambitious rarely works out well. However a friend of mine has the saying "if you have no goals, you cannot fail" and he has a point there.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Thanks!
Although the point isn't to "not have goals", but to set the goals you find are suitable for you. And they don't have to be high and might.

[Lance1965]

Yeah it helps if your goals are realistic ones.

[Anonymous]

Sorry but being a mediocre, untalented and unambitious person is a waste of space in society.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

It may be, but I think that with the right amount of passion, you can get some goals done.
I managed, after all.

[Opinion Owner]

It’s also the reason a growing portion of society think receiving welfare checks paid for by working people is better than working for oneself.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

But that's being lazy parasites.
I don't want to "aim high", but I do want (and do) pay for my own stuff and work.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

I also wanted to put a pic of our presentation of our didactic program (goals for the teens, projects, funding, etc.) but I feared G@G could take it as promotional.

[Opinion Owner]

not sure if if being an unambitious grown up who only strives for mediocrity is the best person to teach teens about goals.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

You are right, but I don't teach to them, being in an other position. I make presentations and allocate the funding, initiatives, etc.
But the kind of things we teach them is not about superiority and mediocrity.
We teach them about the territory, culture, volunteering, anti-fascism and every type of civil fight against discrimination.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Then again, I got the position of Overseer but never ogled for it, just put in passion and it came by itself.

[Opinion Owner]

well, as long as you are happy and not sucking off the gov't, enjoy.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

No, no!
I work, study by myself and the association is private funding!
I wanted to show you a pic of the presentation as to demonstrate I'm not BS, but since I couldn't send it, I put it on my profile, if you want to see it.
I am the guy on the right, the man with long blond hair is the regional President and the last one a poet we invited to share his book about our territory and culture.

[Elaurious]

Not exactly, they have a place, just not in leadership.

[Wammu]

@SarahsSummer so what are your ambitions and what are you doing to get them? I'll wait. . . .

[Opinion Owner]

@Wammu I’m a financial advisor with a fortune 109 financial services Corp. who has just become the youngest Vice President in my regional office, my ambition is to grow my book of business (clients) and eventually start my own firm so instead of giving half the revenue to the company I keep it all. and you? I’ll wait a minute but am a busy girl so make it snappy.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

@SarahsSummer you are a financial advisor? That's one of the most profitable work lines, but it also take a lot of energy and strength, since there's so much competition and it's a very cutthroat environment. No wonder you are such a determined person, if you allow me to say so.

[Opinion Owner]

I am fairly driven. It is a tough and stress filled mostly old boys club but I love the challenges.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Yeah, those environments are very male-dominated and from what I've read on Vice, discrimination is a very huge step up in difficulty if you aren't a white male. It surely requires a lot of hard work and sacrifices.
I'd not be able to face this kind of difficulties. The working load maybe, since I work two jobs (I get a very small salary for my position as sovrintendente regionale) and study, but not the competition.
I tried to work in the Insurance field, did not last two months.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

*sovrintendente provinciale - Overseer of province, not regional. If things go well, I'll be regional overseer in a year.

[Wammu]

@SarahSummer : So~ you're a financial advisor for Primerica?

[Wammu]

@SarahsSummer Also, let's be honest? A 28 year old making VP? Claiming she is busy 1 minute, but chatting away on social media?

I don't think so. . . .

Nobody who is actually busy goes around telling people how busy they are. . . Just as nobody with humility goes around telling people how humble they are.

[Opinion Owner]

@Wammu lol umm no. Not even remotely close.

[Opinion Owner]

@Wammu is there something wrong with you? Chip on your shoulder for some reason.

[Wammu]

@SarahsSummer : And there we go, straight to insults.

You're definitely NOT a VP of any high profile position. . . .

You're just some chick who needs validation and an ego-fix.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

@Wammu I think that the less credible thing would be me claiming involvement and a certain position in a cultural organization at only 21, that's why I linked pics on my profile while being careful of not making promotion.
The point of the Take was that there is to be aware of the people who keep at the side, because they can do and go beyond what would be reasonably imaginable.
It's the so called side characters that help and reaps some fruits while being of support for the "main" ones.

And @SarahsSummer shows that she knows what she's talking about, on the professional and emotional/private life side.

[Wammu]

@Jean-Marie_Céline Jean-Marie. . . You've been fooled by your own mind. . . She has literally said nothing to you to show that she knows anything. All she has done was let you do all the talking and affirm most of what you are saying / believe.

Now that she has basically gotten your approval, you are attributing traits to her that don't even really exist.

[Opinion Owner]

@Wammu I’m sorry you’re so bitter but I am what I say I am. Whether you believe me or not factors, umm zero to me. You stepped into my conversation and asked what my ambitions were and I told you. I’m not about to send you copies of my series 7, 63, 65 licenses or the other professional accredations I have to sit you down. So rather than dismiss, disbelieve and insult my hard work how bout you just step off. But stay in school. You’ve got a long way to go in this world.

[Wammu]

@SarahsSummer : You suck at lying, but you're great at showing off your insecurities.

[Opinion Owner]

@Wammu please fuck off.

[Elaurious]

She said please, very respectful of her and mature. Now respectfully do as the lady says.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

@Wammu @SarasSummer
I did not mean to start such an heated discussion, I think I have exaggerated in bringing on the discussion. I wanted to post my pics as proof since I'm a nobody here, and my point was that "secondary and unambitious people" can be helpful to things and causes. I point out the positive examples like John Pitt, Lord Dudley or Friedrich Engels, or the negative ones like Lavrentji Beria, Himmler, or Lin Biao, etc.

I like the vast amount of opinions I got on this one, even the ones with whom I don't personally agree, but I enjoy hearing them out and discussing the points, without any intention of showing that "mine is better".
I just like to inform myself, put questions and opinions and know new things, that's why I got on this site.

[Scaramanga]

Hahahaha. You're a financial advisor? You contribute jack-all to society. Get back to me when you're actually doing something for other people, not just scamming them out of their money.

[Opinion Owner]

@Scaramanga @Scaramanga I help people save for retirement, put their children through college snd Protect their estates from taxation among other beneficial planning needs. Please fuck off.

[MyExperience]

Sarah, dont mind the haters. I've read your previous posts and know you are for real and have a good head on your shoulders. Whiner@Wammu and scumbucket@Scaramanga are clearly jealous that a woman can thrive in society while they jerk off in their moms basements.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

@MyExperience I admit I was quite appalled to see the heated discussion it came out - I didn't mean to stir it in such a way 😅.

[MyExperience]

I dont think you stirred anything. There are always going to be people like those two who have issues and insecurities. They seem to think the only way they can overcome them is to find inept ways to knock down people who do not.

[Opinion Owner]

@MyExperience lol thanks! I actually considered quitting Gag because of tools like them. There's just too much hate, jealousy and ignorance in this place lately.

[Opinion Owner]

@Elaurious Thanks. I think they did. <3

[ericclayton]

Sarah, I have your back, even though you slam me sometimes. There are people here that are so bitter towards others (particularly the opposite sex) they just can't wait to attack. Don't let those fucktards bring you down, you're better than that.

[Opinion Owner]

@ericclayton thanks Eric. i just don’t understand how or why some can be so obnoxious and rude. it’s pathetic.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Because on the Internet some people can scream and insult others without facing the consequences they would face in real life.

[Elaurious]

At least you know who you are and where you stand.

[Elaurious]

Also, you look like literally Hitler.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

😂😂
I know I have a particular look, but I'm no Nazi (our organization is anti-fascist) and I don't have the cloth of the leader.

[VIVANT]

I think wayyyyy too much emohasus is out on conortuvrbrss against others. I think we should strive to be better together, than what we have been before. People can not work together if everyone is trying to kill each other. Yet here we are with trillions being spent on more bombs than can ever possibly be used when none should exist in the first place, while people complain about supplemental food programs so fellow citizens can maybe pay for heat and not starve. I think the world is hyped up on evil competition and it is ugly.

I like your post. I also thought posting pictures of your work was interesting... I did a double take with the mustache but honestly otherwise you look nothing lke him. I will say this, even hitler was against blowing up the world. He just wanted to dominate it. ( it’s sarcasm but with a tinge of seriousness. It is ironic That even someone with seemingly no sane moral compass , can still be horrified by what it is so commonly justified today. Threat of nuclear holocaust)

If the top was the ground there would be room for everyone on it.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Thank for your kind words and opinion!
You made an excellent point - if ambition is not kept in check by a firm moral compass, it can lead to ruin and suffering.

On another note, yeah, most people take notice of my particular style 😂 but I make it clear I have no association with that kind of man and his ideas and our organization is declared anti-fascist and anti-discrimination.

[VIVANT]

Yes I notice you make it clear — the confusion could be so strange lol

😊

[TheMadAsshatter85]

The way I see it- We're basically like farm animals for banking institutions.

They keep us in just the right amount of debt that were only paying off interest for little to no service provided. Then what's next is MAGICAL-
They paint people that don't want the shiny new car, or the house that is just a little over the top in terms of what people really need, or the people that would rather spend the weekend napping and enjoying themselves as LAZY or lacking in ambition. Sub par.

It's easy to spot. In commercials the guy is laughed at for having an older car, or, doesn't get the pretty girl's phone number because he has an older model phone.

[TheMadAsshatter85]

Some people might view me as lazy. I see them as overlystressed busybodies that care too much about unimportant shit.
"Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping
Everybody seems to think I'm lazy
I don't mind, I think they're crazy
Running everywhere at such a speed
Till they find there's no need (There's no need)
Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away
And after all I'm only sleeping"

[IlyaTheImpaler]

I think it's okay to be mediocre, untalented and unambitious too. I did okay in school. I got Bronze medal in IPhO when I was 16, I liked theory and I just left the experiment sections blank. Apparently I didn't try hard enough as my team mates told me. Then Physics got boring and I moved on to math, and the rest is history.
I really hated the spotlight in high school. I am glad that it's different now in the US university I'm attending, there are a lot of brilliant people in my class, and undoubtedly they would do amazing things when they graduate and tackle deep problems in Anabelian geometry or Riemann hypothesis, I prefer to ponder about things closer to the life of ordinary mortals like probability being the connection between differential geometry and machine learning, very mediocre and unambitious stuffs in my environment.

[chrisbigman]

You got turned away due to patience? Somehow, I'm not sure I believe that. You had more ambition than you think, if you look back. Sure, you may not have went to an Ivy league school or started a successful business, but you had ambition to do something. I personally think that being mediocre and unambitious is bad. Just because you don't have a talent in the arts, doesn't mean that you can't be skilled.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

I see your point.
By the way, I got turned away from the Army because of a physical condition, "patience" was just my reaction.

The point of the Take was that there is to be aware of the people who keep at the side, because they can do and go beyond what would be reasonably imaginable.

I couldn't put it here, but I put a pic of the presentation I had with the rest of the regional committee of my organization. I'm the guy on the right, the others our regional President and the last one a poet we invited to present his book on our territory and culture.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

*on my profile

[Anonymous]

At worst, you're average, not mediocre.
Although that's possibly what all 21 year-old think, if they are actually honest and smart.

On a side note, if you weren't actually intelligent, you wouldn't even be thinking about this. That alone places you above average.
Good luck with your endeavours and take it easy.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Thanks for your words and opinion, I wholeheartedly appreciate you them!
The point of the Take was that there is to be aware of the people who keep at the side, because they can do and go beyond what would be reasonably imaginable.

[Hatter3127]

The “mediocre “ people are the very people who keep society running.
The guy who’s happy in his “dead end” job, for example. No prospects of promotion, but he’s happy with that. Somebody has to do it, and he’s good at it because he enjoys it.
The backing singer who never wants to be lead vocals. With out them, the song would be completely different.
The mediocre people are everywhere, you’ve just got to open your eyes.

[TonyHman]

Thus is somewhat strange because when you descfibed yourself I felt as though you described me perfectly... Well written!!!

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

Thanks!
Although the point isn't to "not have goals", but to set the goals you find are suitable for you.

[Ellie-V]

If being mediocre works for you then live your life. You aren’t hurting anyone 👍🏾
I don’t personally believe in smooth sailing in life. It’s just a waste of potential. But do you boo. Live and let live.

[DakotaNorth]

If you ever get annoyed, look at me I'm self-employed
I love to work at nothing all day

And I'll be taking care of business (every day)
Taking care of business (every way)
I've been taking care of business (it's all mine)
Taking care of business and working overtime

[Edanurus]

Most people are just average and there is nothing wrong with that.

To me a happy life is the true aim and life is a balancing act. I have no motivation to be special, just happy. But that came from trying too hard and realising that I was missing out on life while I followed my ambitions. It was no way to live and I'm happier now that I get to finish for the day and leave work behind than always be on the clock.

But hey house, job, car, and enough money to go for a drink. What more do I need?

[Kinsey]

I dont think its a bad thing. You can be a good follower. Some may view you as a waste of space but you're not a threat to the existence of society. You can also maintain a good democratic relationship with people. Some may see it as flaw, but it can be your biggest strength.

[Kemil_Zhoki]

One problem. A mediocre, untalented person could not have written such a thing of beauty.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

☺ You are flattering me, my friend!
Did you like it that much?
The point of the Take was that there is to be aware of the people who keep at the side, because they can do and go beyond what would be reasonably imaginable.
But not many seemed to have took it.

[Johnjohnny]

Well done I think your one of the fue people that figured out life! Why join a rat race: for what reason! Being something your not! 😀

[stormbreaker06]

i disagree.

Great and successful people don't settle for 2nd best or 5th best.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

But the great and successful people do need a second man/woman and collaborators, after all.

[LuWe22]

All I want is to live a good life. Do I need awards, prices and fame for that? The answer is No.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

That's an excellent point!

[Zak499]

If you're happy living your life that way, then so be it. Its not for us to decide your exsistance

[bamesjond0069]

If you are happy being mediocre then good for you. I hate people who are mediocre and bitch and moan about not winning the award or getting the promotion or getting the raise.

[MyExperience]

Nothing I'll aspire to but I guess It takes all types to make the world go round

[winterfox10]

"Treading water is as good as drowning for people like me."

[Logorithim]

Not everyone can be a superstar

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

My point precisely.
I wanted to add a pic of the presentation of our didactic program last September, do you know how to add it? I don't find the editor now.

[Girther10]

@Jean-Marie- it seems like your mytake is being well received after all. It was sort of a sleeper, then suddenly everyone noticed and I think you sparked some real thinking , now going on...

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

@Girther10 I noticed, I noticed!
I'm happy it got so much attention and drew such a vast array of different opinions, even if it gave place to some heated discussions.