Chapter 1: The Average American Life

What does it mean to live an average life in America today? According to recent statistics, the average American is:

• 17 pounds overweight (CDC)
• Burdened by $131,000 in debt (CDC)
• Likely to have experienced divorce after about eight years (The Couples Center)

If this sounds acceptable to you, feel free to continue on your current path. However, if you aspire to be exceptional, it's essential to alter your lifestyle compared to the norm. The good news is that making these changes isn't particularly difficult; it’s simply a matter of knowing how to start.

The key isn't in making dramatic changes akin to a movie montage but instead lies in consistent, incremental adjustments month after month.

Section 1.1: Embracing Small Changes

What’s the simplest method to elevate yourself above the average? It's about consistently making small contributions to your life while others are busy taking from it. As your competitors dwindle, you will gradually rise above them until the gap between you becomes significant.

When I mention "contributions," I'm not referring to large investments; even the smallest actions count—think of a single penny. By making a tiny deposit each day, you have already achieved a victory. Why? Because most people rarely contribute positively to their health, relationships, or finances, which leads them to a state of depletion.

To counteract this trend, focus on what you can contribute daily rather than what you can take. By doing so, you will witness your life improve until that progress becomes exponential—it's not a matter of "if," but "when."

When you invest in your health, you gradually become fitter. When you nurture your relationships, love flourishes. When you add to your savings, wealth accumulates. The secret to surpassing average lies in these tiny, often overlooked daily deposits.

Subsection 1.1.1: A Personal Journey

Let me illustrate with a personal experience. After graduating from college, I realized, thanks to my mother, that I had gained significant weight due to unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise. I initially turned to extreme diets, but they led to temporary results and eventual weight gain.

Then I came across the book "The Slight Edge," which shifted my perspective. Instead of forcefully trying to lose weight, I began treating every small choice as significant. For instance:

• Skipping those free donuts
• Opting for a brief workout instead of skipping the gym
• Choosing a light snack at home over fast food

After several months of these small choices, I visited my mother, who was taken aback by my transformation. It dawned on me that those seemingly minor decisions had a massive impact, not because of sudden changes, but through consistent, manageable actions.

This principle extends beyond weight loss; it applies to finances, relationships, and any area of life. The secret to breaking free from an average existence is to engage in the actions that the average person often neglects.

Chapter 2: Real-Life Applications

How to STOP Being AVERAGE in Life - This video discusses practical strategies to elevate your life from mediocrity to greatness, emphasizing the importance of consistency.

If you're sick of being average, watch this - An insightful guide on overcoming average living by implementing small, impactful changes in your daily routine.

Through my personal experiences, I've made small decisions that led to substantial changes:

• Four years ago, I decided to contribute $20 a day ($600 a month) to my retirement, which has now grown to over $100K without me even realizing it.
• I replaced most of my in-car listening with audiobooks and podcasts, resulting in over 100 books read, enhancing my fitness, business acumen, and relationships.
• About two years ago, I committed to writing online. This practice improved my writing skills dramatically and generated around $1,000 in passive income in good months.

When you treat even the tiniest decisions as vital, the trajectory of your life can surprise you in just five to ten years.