I have learned with a little effort and a little determination that it is easy to be in the Top 10% of a specific category. With a lot of effort and determination I can be in the top 5%-1% of a particular category. Average is easy. I don’t have to do much of anything to be average.
I don’t think any of us wake up to be average. I whole heartedly believe that we all seek to maximize our potential and seek to get the best out of everything. We all truly seek to be better than we were yesterday.
There are some things I am average in and there are others that I don’t want to be average in such as money, health, wellness, education, self-fulfillment, and my career.
Here are some areas that I refuse to be average in, what about you?
According to the Federal Reserve Statistics:
- Average credit card debt: $15,706
- Average mortgage debt: $156,333
- Average student loan debt: $32,95
Center of Disease Control (CDC): The average American is 23 pounds heavier than his or her ideal body weight. If we equate “normal” with average, it’s not much of a stretch to say it’s normal to be fat.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported in September 2014 that: U.S. real (inflation adjusted) median household income was $51,939 in 2013 versus $51,759 in 2012, statistically unchanged.
A recent report from Experian Automotive shows that Americans’ average new-car loan payment hit a record $482 per month in the fourth quarter of 2014, and car buyers were paying an average 4.56% interest rate for loans.
Experian says the average length of a new-car loan in the fourth quarter rose to an average 66 months, and the average term for a used car loan hit 62 months.
The majority of new car buyers finance their purchase, with 84% of new vehicle purchases were made with financing. For used vehicles, 55.2% of consumers finance the transaction.
26 percent of all Americans have no emergency savings whatsoever.
A report from Interest.com, part of financial website Bankrate.com (NYSE: RATE), finds the median household savings nationwide is zero despite the average American having $668 left over each month after paying their bills.
According to the Bureaus of Labor Statistics 84% of Americans don’t participate in some kind of physical activity on a daily basis.
A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.
Douglas Vermeeren is an international speaker and best-selling author on goal setting and human performance states in his research that: 80% of people never set goals for themselves and of the 20% who do set goals. 70% never achieve them.
According to Nielsen Media Research: The average person spends 5 hours a day watching television.
The Pew Research Center reported last week that nearly a quarter of American adults had not read a single book in the past year. As in, they hadn’t cracked a paperback, fired up a Kindle, or even hit play on an audiobook while in the car. The number of non-book-readers has nearly tripled since 1978.
Facebook says the average American now spends 40 minutes a day checking a Facebook feed.
Over the past 30-odd years, the study found, Americans have gone from consuming 3.8 snacks and meals per day to 4.9, on average — a 29% increase.
What are you not going to be average in today?
I believe the first thing you do whenever you seek to make a change: you must first know where you are. Once you determine where you are, the second step is determining where you want to go. The third step is devising a plan to get there. And lastly work your ass off to get there. You can be out of debt. You can lose the weight. You can save your money. You can become as educated as you want to be. You can work harder and do more than you ever thought. Just go out and do it, I’ll be out there as well. I look forward to seeing you.
To your success and your future.
Pennies into Fortunes 
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