(Excerpt from Hell Yeah! or Hell No! By Sam Kyle)
Ninety-six percent of cancer patients claim to be in better health than the average cancer patient.
Ninety-four percent of professors say they are better-than-average teachers.
Ninety percent of students think they are more intelligent than the average student.
Ninety-three percent of drivers say they are safer-than-average drivers.
When I learned this, it shook my soul. At first, like almost everybody, I thought, “Yes, but I really am above average!” Then I realized I was doing it again.
So I decided to gamble on the opposite. Now I just assume I’m below average.
It serves me well. I listen more. I ask a lot of questions. I’ve stopped thinking others are stupid. I assume most people are smarter than me.
To assume you’re below average is to admit you’re still learning. You focus on what you need to improve, not your past accomplishments.