Lost in Kollel » exceptional

The High Cost (and Reward) of Being the Best

aaron — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:00:21 +0000

For most things that are bought and sold, the price of the item (or service) is relative to its value. But once you are dealing with unique highly valued items, the price no longer reflects the inherent value of the item. Think of 1st class airline seats, Mercedees luxury vehicles, Rolex watches, or Herman Miller Chairs (list price $1,199).

Why is the price of a first class ticket 10 or 20 times that of a coach class? Is it really 20 times the value of a regular seat? Can a 2 hour flight sitting in a drop wider seat while breathing the same air as everyone else be such a valued experience that it’s worth $2,000 or more?

The lesson here is that there is a high price to pay for excellence. If all you want is average, you can get good value for your money. But if you are looking for the ultimate – the cost curve is steep.

If you want to perform just as average – if you don’t set high goals for yourself and just want to get through the bare essentials, then you’ll be rewarded what you are worth. But you don’t have to settle for average. You can strive to be excellent, and reap the rewards that come along with it. Don’t just get the job done, get it done in the best possible fashion.

How does one become excellent? It certainly doesn’t happen overnight. Only with constant and steady improvement can you become from the top 2% in your field. Why settle for average when the reward for being the best is worth so much more?

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Stuck in Kollel Mediocrity

aaron — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:45:30 +0000

As a whole, people are obsessed with exceptionalism. Whether its Gadlus BaTorah, or lehavdil, the world’s record holder for high diving, we glorify amazing feats accomplished by really amazing people. There is something captivating when a person, who on the surface appears to be just like you and me, is able to accomplish great feats.

But us regular people find refuge in mediocrity (definition). Its safe to be plain. It doesn’t take much work to be medicore. It doesn’t need any talent. It doesn’t require you to change. It seems so secure to sit and plan the next 5, 10, 15 years of your life imagining that they will be the same way they are now.

Why relegate exceptionalism to others? They were regular people until they decided to do something amazing. They applied themselves without fail to their goal. They applied themselves with diligence, passion, and yes, obsession. They embraced change, and realized full well that they would not be in the same place next week or next year. And one day they found themselves standing at the goal, with a crowd of mediocre admirers lauding their exceptional achievment.

If you feel that by staying in kollel you can do exceptional things, by all means, please stay. The world needs more such people. Finish Shas, tackle Yerushalmi, write a sefer, become a posek. But if all you will be is mediocre, get out while you can. As Seth says so eloquently, mediocrity will not get you anywhere. Find where you can be exceptional, and go there.

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