52: Brown Suits And Watered-Down Whiskey: Why We Shouldn't Settle For Average

It's no surprise that most people don't want to be average. Yet, average is so easy to fall back into; it's simple, effortless, affordable, comfortable. It's the first idea that comes to mind in a brainstorm, which we're often tempted to accept as the answer and move on. But average suits nobody. Settling for average is like watering down whiskey. You've compromised on both sides, but what you're left with is a concoction that is neither thirst-quenching nor boozy. It's just, meh. The same is true for quick, average solutions in the creative industry. Anyone can get a quick stock photo, video or logo online these days. But we've seen time and time again that these bland solutions all start to look and feel the same, ultimately doing their customers a disservice. You are not a one-size-fits-all person and your work shouldn't be, either. What can elevate something from average to expert? How does settling for average impact our professional lives? (And our personal lives, for that matter?)