Ever feel like you’re meant for something bigger? Like settling for a regular, run-of-the-mill life just doesn’t sit right with you? I’ve been there. Growing up, I always had this itch—something telling me I didn’t want an ordinary existence. Then I came across a quote from Matt Grahamon that flipped a switch in my head: “The people that criticize you for being exceptional are those that have already accepted the fact that they’re going to be mediocre.” That hit home. If I want an extraordinary life, I can’t keep doing what everyone else does. And neither should you.
This isn’t about some polished, perfect guide to success. It’s about the messy, real stuff I’ve learned from chasing my own version of extraordinary—through starting a YouTube channel, surviving tough times, and figuring out what actually works. Let’s break it down together: how to take charge, use what you’ve got, and push past the noise to live a life that’s ahead of most people.
Why Ordinary Feels Like a Trap
Most folks don’t really love their lives—they just think they do. Bingeing junk food, hating their 9-to-5, scrolling TikTok for hours… if that’s “living,” I’m out. Society’s got this weird habit of calling anything ambitious “too much.” Work hard? “You’re obsessed.” Eat healthy? “You’re no fun.” Chase your dreams? “You’re unrealistic.” But here’s the kicker: the people throwing shade at you for wanting an extraordinary life are usually the ones who’ve already checked out. They’re cool with average, and they want you to be too.
I felt this firsthand when I kicked off my YouTube channel years back. Friends laughed, called it “cringy,” said I’d flop. But I didn’t listen to them—I watched creators who’d made it big. A YouTuber with a million subscribers doesn’t mock your first shaky video. They’ve been there. Same way a black belt doesn’t laugh at a white belt tripping over their feet—they remember the struggle. The only ones tearing you down are the ones too scared to try.
Take the Wheel of Your Life
First step to an extraordinary life? Own it. The world’s unfair—always has been. You can sit around whining about it, or you can grab what you can control and run with it. I learned this the hard way. A few years ago, I was balancing med school and my channel. It sucked. I wanted to quit every other day. Then my family got scammed—lost everything. Suddenly, I wasn’t just messing around online; I had to make it work to help them.
No backup plan, no excuses—just me, my camera, and a promise to never let my family down again. I hustled harder than ever. My channel took off, my income spiked, and I got into the school I wanted. That pressure showed me something: when you stop blaming the world and start owning your choices, you unlock something powerful. You don’t need a perfect hand—just play the one you’ve got.
Find Your Secret Weapon: Unfair Advantages
Here’s a truth bomb: we’ve all got unfair advantages. They’re the little edges—circumstances, skills, or resources—that give you a head start. The trick? Spot them and use them.
Think about it like this:
- Money: Got some cash or a way to earn it? That’s a boost.
- Smarts: Maybe you’re quick with words, numbers, or music.
- Location: Living somewhere with opportunities counts.
- Learning: School, YouTube tutorials, whatever teaches you.
- Status: Know people? Got a rep? That’s leverage.
When I started my channel, I worked at a restaurant in Japan, pulling $8-9 an hour. Saved every penny, bought a camera, and got rolling. That gig was my unfair advantage—gave me a shot when I had nothing else. Even if you’re broke, the internet’s right there. You’ve got access to free skills, ideas, people. That’s huge.
Want to dig into this more? Pick up Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. He breaks down how timing, luck, and unique edges turn regular folks into legends. It’s a game-changer for seeing your own advantages.
Even the rough stuff—like growing up with less—can fuel you. It made me hungrier than kids who had it all handed to them. Whatever you’ve got, use it.
Turn Advantages into Action
Once you know your edges, point them somewhere. What do you want? An extraordinary life doesn’t just happen—you aim for it. Here’s how I do it:
- List your advantages: Use that Money, Smarts, Location, Learning, Status thing.
- Pick a goal: What fires you up?
- Connect the dots: How can your advantages get you there?
- Move: Start small, but start.
My goal was growing my channel. My advantage? That restaurant cash and a knack for talking to a camera. I poured both into videos, and it worked. If you’re good at art, sell sketches. Got a rich uncle? Pitch him a business idea. Make it happen.
Shake Off the Haters
Critics will come for you. They’ll call you weird or try to drag you back to ordinary. But ask yourself: do you even want their life? Nah. When I posted my first videos, people smirked. I ignored them and leaned on creators who got it—folks who’d been in my shoes.
The haters? They’re just mad you’re doing what they won’t. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not pull you down. No one builds a statue for a critic.
Keep Getting Better
An extraordinary life isn’t a finish line—it’s a climb. You’ve got to track your progress and tweak as you go. I check my channel stats religiously. Views tanking? I tweak my titles. Fitness slipping? I log my workouts. School stuff? I break down my grades and hit the weak spots.
It’s simple:
- Measure: Look at what’s working.
- Adjust: Fix what’s not.
- Repeat: Keep pushing.
Stay honest with yourself, and you’ll keep growing.
Wrapping It Up: Ordinary’s the Enemy
Living an extraordinary life takes guts. You’ve got to own your choices, use your unfair advantages, shrug off the doubters, and never stop improving. It’s not a cakewalk—good things never are. But that struggle? It’s where the magic lives. Don’t let the mediocre crowd pull you down. You’re built for more.
FAQ
Q: How do I figure out my unfair advantages?
A: Think about what you’ve got—money, skills, where you are, what you know, who you know. Even small stuff counts. Write it down and see what stands out.
Q: What if I don’t feel like I have any advantages?
A: You do. Maybe it’s grit from a tough past or just a phone with internet. Everyone’s got something—find yours and run with it.
Q: How do I handle people criticizing my goals?
A: Tune them out unless they’re someone you respect. Most critics just don’t get it. Stick with people who cheer you on.
There you go—my take on breaking out of the ordinary. It’s worked for me, and I’m betting it can for you too. Now, go chase that extraordinary life you’ve been dreaming about.
If you found this post helpful, consider Buy me a book 📙. Your support means the world to me!
Join thousands of curious minds who get my weekly insights straight to their inbox. One email, zero fluff, endless inspiration. Subscribe now and never miss what matters most.
Unlock even more insights and exclusive content by upgrading your subscription! Don’t miss out—upgrade now!
