11 ways to be unremarkably average

eleven

The other day I shared 50 Ways to Love Your Neighbor over at something beautiful. Small things that could be considered insignificant or average – but things that we don’t typically do on a daily basis.

Today’s a new day and a new list from Chris Guillebeau, who incidentally has really been inspiring me a lot lately with his blog.

He’s chosen to live a non-conforming non-average life and has a goal of visiting all 197 countries in the world before he turns 35. I believe today he hit the 108 mark as he landed in Haiti.

Chris shares 11 ways to be unremarkably average in his manifesto A Brief Guide to World Domination (a free pdf download).

1. Accept what people tell you at face value
2. Don’t question authority
3. Go to college because you’re supposed to, not because you want to learn something
4. Go overseas once or twice in your life, to somewhere safe like England
5. Don’t try to learn another language; everyone else will eventually learn English
6. Think about starting your own business, but never do it
7. Think about writing a book, but never do it
8. Get the largest mortgage you qualify for and spend 30 years paying for it
9. Sit at a desk 40 hours a week for an average of 10 hours of productive work
10. Don’t stand out or draw attention to yourself
11. Jump through hoops. Check off boxes.

Let’s see I can check off 3, 5, 6 and maybe 7 (I’ve written the book – just taking my time too much time editing it), 8 and 9. Maybe even 11. Sounds like I’m still living a pretty average life. What do you think?

Is that good or bad? Do you see yourself in this list?

photo by dno1967

UPDATE: Order Chris’ new book:

Shawn Groves :: If my children grow up to be average Americans…

Shawn Groves writes:

“If my children grow up to be average Americans I’ll have failed them as a parent.”

he continues:

If they spend four hours a day watching other people live on a television screen. If they’re bored.

If they go to school to get a job so their kids can go to school so they can get a job so their kids can go to school…If they’re without purpose.

If they take more than they give and want more than they have. If they’re greedy.

If everyone in their prayers looks like them. If they’re unaware.

I’ve failed.

Read the rest…

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