--- title: "Don’t sit on the fence" id: "761" type: "post" slug: "dont-sit-on-the-fence" published_at: "2024-08-29T11:54:56+00:00" modified_at: "2025-12-19T09:03:38+00:00" url: "https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/dont-sit-on-the-fence/" markdown_url: "https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/dont-sit-on-the-fence.md" excerpt: "Perhaps the most dangerous trap of all is the trap of mediocracy — the trap of being average." taxonomy_category: - "General" --- # Don’t sit on the fence *by Jake Smolarek* In this Article: 1[Never settle for average](#never-settle-for-average) 2[Just do it](#just-do-it) 3[But how do you overcome that fear?](#but-how-do-you-overcome-that-fear) Last updated: 19 December 2025 ## Never settle for average Perhaps the most dangerous trap of all is the trap of mediocracy—the trap of being average. It’s so easy to sit on the fence, be neutral, work a bit but not a lot. That’s the problem with average. It’s so easy. It’s the easiest thing in the world to coast through life with any real effort. I call these people the “*kinda people*“. They *kinda* do this and *kinda* do that, and they aren’t sure what to do next, so they allow life to happen to them. So many people end up being a “*kinda*” person because they fail to truly appreciate how far they can go. These people are afraid of failure, and that stops them from trying and reaching out. So, they coast along. You don’t have to be that *kinda* person. Realising that you aren’t where you want to be and taking steps to change your situation is scary, but in the end, it stops you from being mediocre and sets you on the path to success. The path to success is full of twists, turns, failures, changes, and disappointment. But walking it and experiencing all these things is better than mediocracy. Sitting on the fence and watching life go past might be easy, but it won’t get you any closer to your goals. There’s also no real satisfaction and excitement or gain. Our true happiness comes from progress. ![A countryside wooden fence](https://jakesmolarek.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/article-9-hero.webp) ## Just do it Usually, people don’t jump off that fence because they are afraid. This is totally normal and understandable. Life is a vast ocean, full of possibilities and opportunities, and it can be tough to dive straight in. We’re all scared of getting lost or drowning, but successful people take the leap anyway. Successful people aren’t those without fear; they are those who act regardless. The ocean may be vast, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible to conquer. To quote Jim Rohn: > “Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don’t go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won’t laugh at you.” What this means is that if you half do something, you’ll only get the results. And anyone taking life seriously won’t take you seriously. *kinda* people get *kinda* results. That may be comfortable, but why would you settle for *kinda*, when you could have something unique. Don’t dip a toe in the ocean – dive in! book your free initial consultation session! [Get in touch](#contact) ## But how do you overcome that fear? Many people believe that the people who can face their fear are born with some innate ability that allows that to breeze through life. We watch them take risks, win big, and achieve greatness while making it look easy. But honestly, the difference between these people and *kinda* people is just hard work. If you believe that some people are destined for success, of course, you wouldn’t want to put in the work – it wouldn’t make a difference. Believing in these misconceptions can be dangerous because it encourages you to just drift through life without working for your dreams. Doubt is the arch-nemesis of success. It’s a thief that steals our dreams and goals, and it kills more dreams than failure ever will. So, if you dream of something – do it. Put in the hard work. Don’t be a *kinda* person. Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier in the morning. Pull out those dusty running shoes and go for a run. Read that book. Apply for your dream job. What’s the worst that could happen? The worst that could happen isn’t failing to get that job. The worst that could happen is never trying or taking failure as a sign to stop. Failing is a sign to try harder. If you want something, don’t be average. **Be relentless**. Be more than *kinda*. Remember that your fear isn’t a sign that you will fail or a sign that you shouldn’t do it. Fear is a sign you should do it. Take that leap into the ocean. Do it *because* you’re afraid. Don’t let yourself fall into the comfortable trap of average. Get off that fence, and put your goals into action. Don’t wait for your perfect time; create your opportunity. The difference between never trying something and being successful is just having the courage to start. In the face of your fears, don’t become a *kinda* person. Become the person. And when the ocean threatens to overwhelm you, remember; A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. Share with others. Share on FacebookShare on WhatsappShare on LinkedinCopy LinkLink is Copied!Share on Email - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/build-your-team/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/build-your-team/) [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/build-your-team/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/build-your-team/) previous ### [Build your Team](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/build-your-team/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-real-law-of-attraction-in-action/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-real-law-of-attraction-in-action/) next ### [The ‘real’ Law of Attraction – in action](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-real-law-of-attraction-in-action/) [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-real-law-of-attraction-in-action/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-real-law-of-attraction-in-action/) [Back to articles](/articles/) About the Author ![Jake Smolarek](https://jakesmolarek.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tile-about-me.webp)Jake Smolarek [Life Coach](https://jakesmolarek.com/) , [Business Coach](https://jakesmolarek.com/business-coaching/) , Entrepreneur Jake Smolarek has over 18 years of experience and more than 27,000 hours of coaching delivered, working with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and high-performing professionals. His signature frameworks, including **Vision GPS** and **Learn → Practice → Master → Become a F*cking Legend**, to name a few, have helped clients achieve extraordinary results. His work has been featured in *The Times, Yahoo Finance,* and *Business Insider*. [Read more about Jake Smolarek](https://jakesmolarek.com/about/jake-smolarek/) . Recent articles - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/psychology-of-negotiation/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/psychology-of-negotiation/) ### [The Reality of Negotiation: The Psychology Behind Terms, Pressure, and Regret](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/psychology-of-negotiation/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/influence-and-persuasion-psychology/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/influence-and-persuasion-psychology/) ### [Influence and Persuasion: How Human Decisions Are Made, Resisted, and Changed](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/influence-and-persuasion-psychology/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/founder-bottleneck-scale/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/founder-bottleneck-scale/) ### [The Founder Bottleneck: How to Build a Company That Runs Without You](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/founder-bottleneck-scale/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/time-management-architecture/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/time-management-architecture/) ### [Time Management Architecture: The Operating System Behind High Performance](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/time-management-architecture/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/leadership-operating-system/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/leadership-operating-system/) ### [The Fundamentals of Leadership: The System That Builds Elite Operators](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/leadership-operating-system/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/why-morning-planning-fails/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/why-morning-planning-fails/) ### [Planning Your Day in the Morning Is Already Too Late: The Tetris Effect](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/why-morning-planning-fails/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/procrastination-high-performers/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/procrastination-high-performers/) ### [Procrastination: Why High Performers Hesitate And How to Rebuild Speed](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/procrastination-high-performers/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/imposter-syndrome/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/imposter-syndrome/) ### [Imposter Syndrome: The High Achiever’s Glitch in the Operating System](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/imposter-syndrome/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-addiction-to-achievement/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-addiction-to-achievement/) ### [The Addiction to Achievement: The Structural Flaw in Perpetual Growth](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-addiction-to-achievement/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/raising-lions-in-a-zoo/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/raising-lions-in-a-zoo/) ### [Raising Lions in a Zoo: How Abundance Kills Hunger, A Guide to Wealthy Families’ Conflicts, Power And Succession](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/raising-lions-in-a-zoo/) I have spoken at [https://www.ox.ac.uk/](https://www.ox.ac.uk/) [https://www.imperial.ac.uk/](https://www.imperial.ac.uk/) [https://www.gre.ac.uk/](https://www.gre.ac.uk/) [http://www.bbk.ac.uk/](http://www.bbk.ac.uk/) [https://www.uwl.ac.uk/](https://www.uwl.ac.uk/) [https://www.lse.ac.uk/](https://www.lse.ac.uk/) [https://www.ox.ac.uk/](https://www.ox.ac.uk/) [https://www.imperial.ac.uk/](https://www.imperial.ac.uk/) [https://www.gre.ac.uk/](https://www.gre.ac.uk/) [http://www.bbk.ac.uk/](http://www.bbk.ac.uk/) [https://www.uwl.ac.uk/](https://www.uwl.ac.uk/) [https://www.lse.ac.uk/](https://www.lse.ac.uk/) Contact Me & Book Your Complimentary Consultation Session address Davies Street, Mayfair, London W1K phone number Mobile: [+44 7738 514 600](tel:+447738514600) email [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3e575058517e545f555b4d5351525f4c5b55105d5153)