title: I assume I’m below average
url: https://sive.rs/below-average
hash_url: 4d9148b9d78455c2d67051e467d2e824

<p>
	Ninety-six percent of cancer patients claim to be in better health than the average cancer patient.
</p><p>
	Ninety-four percent of professors say they are better-than-average teachers.
</p><p>
	Ninety percent of students think they are more intelligent than the average student.
</p><p>
	Ninety-three percent of drivers say they are safer-than-average drivers.
</p><p>
	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.
</p><p>
	So I decided to gamble on the opposite.
	Now I just assume I’m below average.
</p><p>
	It serves me well.
	I listen more.
	I ask a lot of questions.
	I’ve stopped thinking <a href="/ss">others are stupid</a>.
	I assume most people are smarter than me.
</p><p>
<strong>
	To assume you’re below average is to admit you’re still learning.
</strong>
	You focus on what you need to improve, not your <a href="/expire">past accomplishments</a>.
</p><p>
	Many people are so worried about looking good that they never do anything great.
	Many people are so worried about doing something great that they never do anything at all.
</p><p>
	You destroy that paralysis when you think of yourself as just a student, and your current actions as just practice.
</p>
