92. CHRIS GUILLEBEAU: 11 ways to be average
Chris Guillebeau is an entrepreneur and writer. His blog, The Art of Non-Conformity, helps people follow their passion and find a meaningful way to use their talents. Chris is also a travel-junkie and is close to completing his lifelong quest of visiting every country in the world. Whether he’s travelling around the globe, writing, performing speaking engagements, launching new products or organising World Domination summits – one thing’s for sure – Chris is NOT living a unremarkably average life.
Chris’s blog and his manifestos (which you can download for free and where this list is taken from) helped me when I was frustrated at my old job and was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I thoroughly recommend his site, along with his latest book The $100 Startup, to anyone who’s stuck in a rut, thinking about a career-change or starting a passion-project.
I was lucky enough to meet Chris when he was recently in Melbourne for the ProBlogger Event. He was a fan of Zen Pencils and one of the first things he said to me was “How can I help?” which I thought showed a lot about his character. I suggested that I adapt one of his quotes and this comic is the result.
I’m by no means better than the orange-haired dude in this comic. I’ve been guilty of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 at some point in my life.
Discussion (318) ¬
Sadly, i’ve done, am doing, or will do almost all of those…
You cannot change “I’ve done”. But you can definitely change “am doing” and “will do” 🙂
I am definatelly going to try, but first, i need to get over my shyness.
It’s great that you’ve chosen to change yourself and I hope you will get over your shyness!
As do i.
And i’m still in highschool, so now is probably the best time to change.
I got over shyness by befriending people who looked more shy then myself and helping them to feel braver. It works! And I’m 63…
That’s a awesome advice Kristine, and as a bonus one can help people and make some friends by doing so.
I wish I had read this 60 years ago. 😉
Dude, I found out that I do not need to be like this at 28….If you are in high school, you learnt the truth 10 years ahead of me…You will come out good. Take the leap of faith…People are not judging you as often you think they are….Free yourself…Good luck and cheers.
You can do it, Jianu, go for it! Rooting for you 🙂
Hehe, thanks.
Be brave Jianu. There is so much out there!
Jianu, you’d be surprised how many people want you to not be shy. A friend of mine always asks himself one question to overcome shyness — ‘What’s the worst thing that can happen if I do this/say hello to that person, and what’s the best?’ He says that asking this question has made him some great friends, and allowed him to do many memorable things.
“Confidence is a trick that everyone is playing on everyone else.”
John Bird, founder of The Big Issue:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Issue
High School is exactly the best time to begin to avoid slipping into a life of complacency. Don’t do what so many of us have done by letting those most important years of our lives slide by without using them to begin to make an impact on the world. Dont ever settle for ‘ordinary!’
Wishing you the very best of luck. 🙂
Hey man, if you need motivation, check out reddit.com/r/getmotivated That site actually got me onto these wonderful comics! We will unlikely ever meet stranger, but know this YOU CAN DO IT, IT’S JUST ABOUT TAKING THAT FIRST STEP!
Hmmm… a motivation section on reddit?
I’ll give it a shot.
And thanks 😀
I agree with the others Jianu, you can do it buddy!
Thanks again.
And i shall do it!
You know, i was shy too, but then i saw a quote by someone which made me really think hard, like the quotes here do. “What other people think of me is none of my business”
Havent really cared what the consequence will be when i move forward after that! I dont know if it may put as much of an impact on u as it did on me, but i just wanted to share it.
Your an inspiration niaru. do it for yourself!
I feel all have or will be familiar with all or most of this list on a personal, intimate basis at one point in their life.
I think the main thrust is that it need not end in Terminal Averageness for anyone… ever…
What more hopeful message?
The kids in #1 and #2 look like Hitler Youth. Maybe you could brighten it up with a red scarf or something and make them Young Pioneers.
I think that’s the point.
Love the last panel – you can’t get more time!!
Danny
This one makes me a bit teary Gav!
esta excelente!!! greetings from Honduras, I love zen pencils, and I´m in that same spot right, be average or excepcional. thanks for you great work Gav
jaja bueno, nos hablaste un poquito de espanol, asi que vayamos aprendiendo!
Thanks – this is a great drawing and timely information. You’re a jewel.
I’m not going to lie, I squealed when I saw this in my inbox. I’ve been following Chris’s work for about 2 years now, and it’s always fun to see two things you love come together. Keep up the fabulous work, and here’s to many more “Cartoon quotes from inspirational folks.”
isnt it how everyone of us is actually leading our life ?
Nope! 🙂
I love this comic. As a high school senior trying to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life, this quote really gave me a whole lot to keep in mind. Thank you!
I really like this one, thank you for sharing. I think that everyone can relate to at least a couple of these.
Great comic. One thing about this comic really stood out and actually scared me. Panel 5 and 13 show it. We are going to be the first generation where our whole lives are more or less going to be documented as a facebook time line. How much jumping through hoops and checking off boxes we will do in our lives is going to be right there staring at us from our computer screens. Man, I’m going to get up right now and start living the life I want to live to make sure that the timeline I look at in 40 years is somethings I’m going to be proud of.
Great illustration Gavin
Great to hear Bill!
So many people did that at my old job (including me) – scrolling through their Facebook timeline and then quickly minimising the window if a superior walked past.
Well that’s if you actually want to use facebook to share your life. not everyone does, and not everyone has to. remember, you can live a fulfilling live, and your facebook doesn’t have to reflect any of it!
I really want to get out of college, and when I say that I mean drop out, go to asia and study martial arts. I don’t know who would train me though (even though I have studied for 17 years), and I do need to go to college, even if there is nothing here that interests me.
Any suggestions?
You have 17 years of experience and you don’t think someone will train you??? Why not?
Yeah, man! Gav is right! All you need is the desire, shit, alot of people don’t know WHAT they want to do and get stuck re-enacting the above story!
If you know what you want then you have nothing else but to do go it.
What kind of Martial Arts interest you? some country like japan put martial arts as a part of culture that is important. do some research and go!
Many people have learned a martial art and turned it into a keep fit routine they teach at gyms, online, etc, as well as turning trainer. If you have a degree, you can teach English in Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, India–face to face or online (check out http://www.tefl.com or http://www.eslcafe.com) while you learn the Martial art of your choice, and immerse yourself in a totally different culture
In fact for some countries you don’t even need a degree — but a qualification like CELTA will definitely help
This comic is just perfect for me now! I feel like I’m in the same place like the man in your comic, starting to live the average life. However, I’m contemplating to get another degree and make something more valuable of my life.
Thank you very much Gav!
Chills me to the bones man!
Thanks for the comments. I know it’s a bit of a depressing comic for some but the list slapped me in the face when I first read it and forced me to rethink my own direction. So if it can do the same for even one person then it would have been worth it.
A slap in the face is what we need sometimes.
Shocked but happy to see Chris on here. I like to think my life has improved a lot based on what he said. It’s always good to make sure you’re not doing these things.
1 and 2. I try to trust what people say and give them the benefit of the doubt, but it doesn’t mean I’m not cautious about it. I always question authority, even on the little things (i was recently in a four hour debate with my girlfriend just on whether or not i should fill out the National census)
3. I was guilty of this. I went to University to stall for time (started on Japanese language studies and then switched to Sociology) while i thought about what i wanted to do. It was there i realised the things i wanted to do but by then i was on the course and too stubborn to quit. Awesome times, but not the most productive.
4. This made me shudder, as it’s essentially what I’m doing right now. I like my job, but it’s not my best job. However i’m glad to say that i do freelance web design work at home after hours and i draw lots of crappy comics. I like to think it won’t be long before i can stop doing a 9-5 office job, but i gotta start working better towards it.
5. Yay. I don’t do this one. We regularly go on adventures all over the place. I make regular trips to various archeological sites in England and the Peaks and each year i go on holiday somewhere different (this year was Venice and i walked to the point where my feet took three months to recover just from the blisters)
6. I admit I’ve just gotten a mortgage, but i’ve no intention of wasting thirty years paying for it. I wanted my own house as a design project. From here on in i’ll be raising the funds to pay it off as soon as possible.
7. I speak Japanese and Italian, albeit badly, so that’s another yay.
8. I have to this date written six books. So yay.
9. I run a small home based business in IT repair. I don’t get much business, but it’s a bit of extra money in the pocket. So yay.
10. I love it when people call on me for being weird (and people do it often). It shows i’m doing something right. I give myself bonus points if people really hate me for it. Yay again.
11. Does going through this list count as checking off boxes? I tick off boxes all the time, but only on my own self made to do lists, so i view this as okay.
So. Not perfect, but not bad. And still lots to strive for.
Thanks for sharing Matt, sounds like you’re doing pretty well to me
lol, MAtt I like it when people call me weird too. I hate conformity, Its the last thing I will ever do. I talk too much and think too much at the same time and I have gone through 4 uni degrees and found out that I love studying for my own interest. I have done heaps of jobs all my life from being a cleaner to a scallop sorter, to a clown and now i work in disabilities. My passion is in the Arts and like you I hope one day my biggest project is to recreate my future home. 🙂 I love life, i earned just good enough but the most important thing is have loads of free time for myself and to travel around.
Yes, I am a weirdo, eccentric and odd, but I am happy~ zawswe, always, selalu, siempre, toujour!
Gav, LOVE THIS ONE! So great that you get to meet the creator of this inspiration!
Dude this isn’t a checklist. Trying to do each of these 11 things is in itself like ‘checking off boxes’. i think it’s just guidlines, for the most part to look at. say if you are happy with most of them, but can’t travel, it’s no biggie. everyones different hay
I’m called weird too, but people really like me because of it. So I guess being weird is one of my assets.
Did your books get published? I’m interested to read one.
I see myself as a normal person, but strangely most people think I’m “a little bit weird” !! even my boss said to me once that I have an awkward caracter! probably because I’m the only one who doesn’t show fear authority even I’m wrong 😀 . I really don’t understand people who think I’m a strange person; I don’t run in streets asking for attention! well, i have my “strange” caracter and I don’t like people to tell me how I should act, because for me as long as I don’t disturb your freedom I’m free to be as I am and I think people in groups are stranger than solitary persons!!
Indeed sometimes we do need a “slap on the face” to react and get ownership of our lives. Thanks Gav for this great comic!
I am from India and i had just finished my Masters last year, and had flown three thousand miles around the country in search of looking for the perfect job. I joined a daily newspaper, but i was put in the supplementary section. But i took up the job, just because everyone else in my batch had been taking up jobs, and i didn’t want to be the only person with the job. But while i was there, i realised–is this what i really want to do? I had to do fluff pieces about page 3 parties and what not. So i decided, this is not for me–i left the job within a week. And the very day i left the job, i saw a website asking for contributions to an Asian writers short story anthology. I loved to write (one of the main reason i took up journalism in the first place), and i send in my short story on the tsunami that occured in 2004. I received an e-mail from them saying that they would get back to me. I knew what that meant–rejection. I almost lost hope but in the evening i received another e-mail from them saying that they would love to have my story in the anthology. I was over the moon. I travelled another 3000 miles, was jobless for two weeks, without money, staying over at my old roommates place and the only thing that kept my hope alive was that i had finally fulfilled a lifelong dream–to be published. But the low point was never to last long. By the end of the second week, i received a call for a job with a famous sports magazine, and i got the job. Two years, down the lane, i realise–what if i had not given up on that job? what if i had not send in my story? what i i had not made those travels? I am happy that in the past two years, i have travelled around my counrty, done some wonderful stories, met some beautiful people and also at the same time had the most fantastic colleagues to work with. And that short story? It to date is one of the 10 top most viewed stories on their website! I wanted to tell this story after i read this comic of yours–i was always asked to be averaged, but i went out of the way to be sure that i was beyond that 🙂
Well done Nishath, Best Wishes for your Future endeavours .
Thank you Gaurav!
Wonderful story Nishath! Congratulations
Thank you Gav!
Hey Nishath,
Why don’t share that short story with us? We would love to read it.
I am only guilty of 7, 8 and 9
I would consider making comics similar to writing a book
Number 4 is exactly what is happening in my life 🙁 sadly have to accept…
I am reading this one again and again and rethinking many things in life 🙂
and as always a great one 🙂
Awesome comic. I’ve been having the same emotions lately. This perfectly summed up my feelings and will hopefully give me the motivation to make a change. Now, just figuring out the change :)…. and now that I think about it, that should be the exciting part.
Is this going to be available as a print? I think I need it on my wall…
This is very cool! I like it a lot. I was a long way down the road to many of these and managed to change the path! Although I did go to college because someone else wanted me to, I did manage to learn a lot even though the lessons had little to do with academics. The art work is brilliant!
Great comic Gav! I saw you at the ProBlogger event panel and also had the privilege of meeting Chris. He’s such a swell guy and this strip really captures his message. Keep up the awesome work!
Two of my favorite sites joining forces to put out some amazingness ! I’m a big advocate for an un-average life !
BRILLIANT! Desperately trying not to burst out laughing in the middle of my silent lesson. I love this
For #3, I went to college with the goal of going to medical school. Nearly perfect grades, great recommendations, great experience, etc. Ironically, a mountain of medical bills kept me from getting past a bachelors degree. Have been doing the other 10 things ever since.
Still hoping to get a second chance some day… Right now everything, including food, is a luxury item, so no money for schooling…
Good post…gets me thinking…
Quitting your job, travelling, then trying to start a small business while working on the next great american novel will not automatically make you happy or fulfilled. Working a 9-5 job, buying a house, and having a ‘normal’ life will not automatically make you sad or unfulfilled.
Don’t measure your life based on someone else’s standards.
(For me, a measure of protection against being desperately poor is important).
I think the primary point of the list is that one shouldn’t proceeding unthinkingly. Being blind, not thinking for yourself, doing only what others tell you that you should do with your life isn’t what will make you feel fulfilled.
It’s just that, whether one likes it or not, the median average, the most common analogy based on reality, in western society is the person who goes to college for something they didn’t even ponder. Because they were told it was a “good career”. Proceeds to work lifelessly at it. Gets a house, 2.5 kids, works reliably but blandly until they are sent off at old age to die. That is a real, common situation (and I know a lot of people who would get very angry at statements like the above comic, because it hits too close to home and they’re in denial of their situation, and what they did with their life.)
Great illustrations that get the point across. I think many of us – including myself – fall into some of these traps at some points in our lives. The best thing I’ve ever done is to realize what I was doing wrong and then start making changes. It’s all a journey! 🙂
I’m slightly obsessed with your comics, I came here the second I got home because I knew there’d be a new one and I wasn’t disappointed. I love this 🙂
You either bring a smile to my face or make me think about what I’m doing with my life, why I’m doing it, and how to live a full meaningful life. Great work! I’m trying to think of a cartoon style similar to yours but nothing comes to mind, according to me that means your unique. Do you ever wonder how many people in total you’ve effected either directly or indirectly with your zen pencils work?
#8 and #9 are definitely my achilles heel! (btw it’s NaNoWriMo!)
(We are, all of us, somewhat average… the trick is to learn about standard deviations)
Hi Gav,
Am a guy from India, this is something i tried to preach and teach to all my friends and family , not to waste the only life by being an ordinary man/woman. i loved this comic so much i wont miss even a single comic but this one is really special as this is what i wanted to tell all my friends and family all these years they write off me as a weirdo but this comic makes me happy for being one. I wanted very badly to put this as my wallpaper but as you know it being a vertical strip it didnt fit in my 22″ monitor so i sort of messed up with your comic and changed it into a horizontal one to fit my desktop screen and am so sorry if i have offended you by doing so and am a novice in photoshop so i think i made a really bad mess of your comic. but i love it in my desktop every morning like this http://postimage.org/image/b6e3zr4mj/ i should have asked you first sorry for not doing so!
Regards.
No probs, looks pretty good – a bit squashed but I’ll forgive you 🙂 I’m launching a wallpaper section soon – you might like to contribute.
Thanks Gav!
Wow a wallpaper section sounds too good! Would try and improve myself and would be happy to contribute , keep up the good work!
Regards.
Me and my wife Ally where there a year ago, but decided to leave it all behind back in Chile, and challenge every safe spot we knew/where taught about in our lives. I am now with my band The ReAktion in Canada and Ally is developing in aerial silks, and we are fighting against all odds to achieve getting through with this kind of messages to people with our music and art, and to tell you the truth, we’ve never been happier, more focused and achieved so much in such a short time.
Thank you for this Gavin, It trully depicts what I felt was wrong a year ago, and I’m glad to have realized that at the end “it’s just a ride”!!
Congrats Phil, sounds like you and your wife are having a blast. I decided to take action about a year ago too.
And you are indeed an inspiration Gav. Congrats and keep up the great work!
This is simply amazing.
Definitely one of my favorite.
awesome work gavin!
Great as usual! 😀 I’ve ‘ticked off the boxes’ and found out that I am a solid 6/11, having blatantly ‘broken’ numbers 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10 and working on breaking no. 8 🙂 I’m not old enough yet for the other stuff to apply to me, but I am quite happy to announce that no, I am not average. What a relief!
Hey thanks dude well done and I must say not only this but I love all your comics and what writers cannot tell in many words you do it through small comics. I just love it because in this busy world your arts make me read and see all this and get encouraged. But I am still the average person but I am content and very happy…. I pray to God he will give you success in encouraging the world…..
I’m reading the manifesto now and loving it, thank you 🙂 “Here are the two most important ques-
tions in the universe:
#1: What do you really want to get out of
life?
#2: What can you offer the world that no
one else can?”
Love it
This gave me a lot to think about. Right now I’m doing this in my non-military service (an option for those who don’t want to go to military in Finland since we have to go), even though I’m a janitor there. Fine, add some pokemon playing there too.
I guess I’m in a good spot since my service is over next week and I could start doing what I want. Problem is, I don’t have that good ideas what I should do if we talk about jobs…
I feel like this orange dude is me.i’m working on 9 though…sigh*but when can i see the fruit of efforts.
This is truly inspiring! Something i will definitely show my husband, I’m a firm believer that you have to live outside the box and go for what your heart tells you to do, not just do the ordinary. Love following you and your work! Your work has picked me up so many times so far in my ventures to becoming and entrepreneur! I recently gave up my 9-5 to pursue my dreams head on. Thank you! You’re great!
Jenny Lewis
Founder & Creative Director
Lime Light: Student Union, LLC.
Absoloutely love the cartoon, it brings Chris Guillebeau’s words to life. Adds a melancholy feel to them. I linked to it on my site, hope you don’t mind!
Chris has given his permission to sell a print version and here it is:
http://society6.com/zenpencils/92-CHRIS-GUILLEBEAU
Hi there! Amazing work!
We are a group of designers making some really cool stuff. We are all fans of ZenPencils and used to share most of your works. But this one is one of the best from you recently. We really want to share this epic article. Can we share the same post (image by image) in our Facebook page by adding credits to you (in every image). Also we will put the link to the purchase page.
Please let us know your take. Keep up the great work
Cheers!
Vivek
rules to live by #1
Always be the first to say hello
Great work you’ve done here, check prophet Muhammad and Jesus -peace be upon them- sayings, I’m sure you’ll find something that would be interested in. Quote them as humans not religious leaders.
I find it disturbing how much the character in this one looks like me. His actions match my own in many ways as well. At least I’ve got some new perspective now.
This one really illustrates how most people settle for mediocrity; but all people face this in their lives. Keep up the good work.
Also I hope you don’t mind me reposting some of your work in my blog; I gave you and your site credit. (???)b
OMG I’m so guilty of many of these points but I’m trying now, I really am! Great work again!
Alright, that’s it, I’m talking to my dad about doing our homebrew beer this holiday season. We’ve talked about it for ages butthere’s always been a reason not to……But this year I think instead of exchanging presents we buy the brewer’s kit and get to brewin!
This is how my life works. Love your work. Keep it going.
This cartoon is a real eye-opener! Love it… Hope people take a look at themselves and realize they only live one life.
This is truly incredible.. so relevant and so true..i’ve been literaly looking at it all day today… and i think it will be the push to do a few crazy things i’ve in my mind for a while now 😛
You slapped in my face. Well, in many other average faces. Thanks.
???
What’s wrong with average? Lots of people seem to think there’s something wrong with being ordinary. We’re all told to be exceptional and that being average people with average lives is tantamount to failure. That leads to lots of unhappiness I think, because people are told that they should be unhappy with the lives they have. And why should they be? That 40 hour work week allows them to support their family. That 30 year mortgage is for a home they can be happy in. They pay taxes which keep the country afloat. They make a contribution, and it is insulting for someone to come along and suggest that this is somehow substandard living. No one should be afraid of being ordinary.
Interesting paradox, no? If I attempt to change my life to fit into Mr. Guillebeau’s definition of “not ordinary”, am I not then living my life according to what someone else expects me to? Each person is given a life and they get to choose what they want to do with it, what pleases one person is no greater or less than what pleases another. It is just as silly for a 9-5er in the flannel suit to disparage the life of the bohemian, hippy artist-type guy as it is for the bohemian, hippy artist-type guy to disparage the life of the 9-5, flannel suit guy. Sure, the modern day touchstones of film and television like to paint a romantic picture the creative artistic people being the true ideal, but at the end of the day, what will those creative artistic ideals do for food, shelter, a road to drive on, protection from those who would do them harm, etc.?
Right on brother. I’m sick of hearing people say that 9 to 5 job is the worst thing ever. If there was no one doing that, the world will go bonkers.
This is awesome…
Ah… that remained me how my previous boss replied to my will to change job & sector. I was working on a cool project, helping change the world, endless work hours, it feels such a rush to overcome obstacles, being the 1st. But when i recieved a job offer for a easier position, then i realised what i was missing. Now, im working half the time for the double pay in a cubicle! Sure job is boring but able to spend more money and more time with loved ones… pricesless!
My previous boss told me “you wanna be unremarkable” and i told him “hell yeah”
I’ve been reading all your comics in the archives from frame 1 for about the past 2 hours and I must say while many many have struck I found this one to be truly profound. Thank you for your work. I think it’s brilliant.
Really like this comic (GREAT illustrations!) for the overall message of not wasting your life. One thing that really bothers me sometimes though when talking with others on this topic is it’s always displayed as trading a “boring” 9-5 desk job for a “travel the world – leave whenever I want to” exciting lifestyle that means you’re living your life with meaning.
What about when you have a family, kids, etc? What about the honor to actually be around for your kids – not making your life all about … you? To die to yourself so they can live (i.e. have a great dad/mom/etc). Movie stars are so sexy with their artistic fancy jobs that take them around the world right? I wonder how their spouse / kids feel about them being gone for months on end or working 18 hour days … but hey, they didn’t have to sit behind a desk right?
There are millions of 9-to-5ers with incredible talents, hobbies, passions, and priorities outside of their job title. Sometimes it’s just frustrating getting that “oh, poor you – you aren’t living life to it’s fullest because you have one of those REGULAR jobs that everybody talks poorly of … you must have huge dreams you’ve given up on” look from those who believe there is a better life out there … one where you’ll always wake up to and say, “YES…. BEST DAY EVER AGAIN!!!!!”
Again – I agree with some of the pictures (i.e. questioning authority – if it’s with respect) and the overall premise of “seriously, you have one life … how are YOU not going let it slip away without doing something that matters” … it’s just the typical “desk job = dull = huge mistake” & “travel the world without a mortgage = living on the edge = YES…BEST DAY EVER AGAIN!!!!” associations that don’t depict WHO people really are or what gives them significance.
My $0.02
This is the first time I’ve heard of this website and I must say that I’m in love with everything! The quotes and comics are so real and useful. As I’m currently studying business and I hate it (doing it just to please people), these comics really gave me strength to do something about it instead of just sit around and feel sorry for myself for doing something I hate. This website gave me some kind of hope and for that I thank you.
This is really amazing! 🙂
Thanks for reminding us that we need to step out of this average life.. :/
“A man, who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.”
It only takes a moment to be aware of who we are and where we are heading, but only the wisest and stupidest of men never change 🙂
Very inspirational cartoon but not everyone can live a life that better than average. So maybe we as a society needs to improve what constitutes an average life or people need to learn how to find joy and fulfillment in even the most standard of lifestyles. That said absolutely wonderful cartoon. I hope I will be able to heed the warning it embodies.
Yes, walk your own way whether it was average or something else. What’s the idea of living if you don’t feel alive.
I think we’re all guilty of sitting in our comfort zone at times, great illustration and really put a smile on my face, thanks
Really love this one……..great tongue in cheek look at what happens when you don’t set yourself goals and stretch yourself.
So far I am average, but I tend to feel not as one, so hopefully in my near future I will stand out. The only average thing I would to have like is love (and actually I don´t want it in an average way, I want it to be rare and special).
Love your work!
This sounds like a reasonable way to live. I am not kidding.
Yeah! If we don’t break rules and just follow the crowd, we’ll trap in that circle forever.
This story is very similar to my brother, parents, friends stories. All the people around spending their whole life at the office. Poor them
I, however, trying to get out of that circle, you can read my articles here
How To Make A Change In Your Life
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy
I stumbled across this during my search for something concerning this.
Thanks for sharring!
Thanks for the work writing this comic.
However I can’t really see it in the way it was intended. For me it seems to be a kind of guilt inducing exhortation to do what our society is always screaming at us to do.
Form a business, get rich, write a book, be famous. Stand out, be special. All the good people are either rich, famous or both. Average people are pitiful.
So go, run and grab for that golden ring.
That way if you defy the odds and actually get that ring, you can wonder why you are still uneasy with your life.
And if you don’t, then you know for sure why you are unhappy.
An average life is a good thing because ALL life is a good thing.
Obviously most of us will live an average life because that is what average means. Learn to attend to your average life and you may actually find out what real joy is.
Cheers.
Hi there! Amazing work!
We are a group of designers making some really cool stuff. We are all fans of ZenPencils and used to share most of your works. But this one is one of the best from you recently. We really want to share this epic article. Can we share the same post (image by image) in our Facebook page by adding credits to you (in every image). Also we will put the link to buy those prints.
Please let us know your take. Keep up the great work 🙂
Cheers!
Vivek
I have to admit; this thing angered me.
In the process of living this sort of life, is it not possible to successfully build meaningful, lasting, caring and nurturing relationships? Could a person not in this process help foster other’s growth and development? Couldn’t this guy contribute to the world? Is there something wrong with being the guy who doesn’t stand out but manages quite well to love others and be a part of a conscientious, caring society?
How did narcissistic boredom become the ultimate horror for our society?
The comic says quite a lot about its author, potentially about his discomfort with time lacking constant novelty. What it lacks also says something about his lack of valuing of other people and relationships, and that, I think, is the tragedy.
Wow. That is great and inspiring! Especially with the graphics. I’m going to bookmark this.
First of all I want to say terrific blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your head before writing. I have had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or tips? Appreciate it!
Gav, this comic tries to wake me up. I’m on the progress into an average man. I hope I wake up this time and leave the bus to Averageville. hahaha. Thanks a lot, Gav! 😀
I did it and I couldn´t stand it. Now I´m starting my own business, not going well, but yet I´m so happy doing what I realy want to do… I hate office jobs!!
Reminds me of Auden’s Unknown Citizen.
“Suis ton coeur aussi longtemps que tu vis. J’aurais aimé avoir le courage de vivre comme je voulais, et pas de vivre la vie qu’on attendait de moi.”
René Dramard, 94 ans.
Sur http://www.paroledancien.net
Just Saw my life in it. . . Living Average, Low Profile life exactly as per instructions mentioned.
Though still 33, but no courage to stir up things. Seems this post is wake up call.
Dont want to end up updating Facebook status and 1 ‘Rolexa’ watch.
Sad Story !! but we must to hard work all our lifes !
Woah! Scary and awesome at the same time!
Life is music, enjoy it while it is being played!
http://youtu.be/ERbvKrH-GC4
Its so true!!! i dont want to live like this…..
Now i’m in the third. I rarely do what i want, i always do what i told. Honestly i’m sad but i’m afraid if i do what i want i’m gonna hurt my parents feeling…
and number 8,9,10 too. I’m lucky i am Indonesian, not British or American because that make me learn 2 languages….
Average is better than an exciting life of crime.
These days you have been laid off waaaay before you are given that watch…
Wow! Chris Guillebeau! Just can’t believe I found it here. I guess amazing people really do find a way to get together eventually.
First world problems.
Can’t say I like this one. Usually the artist does a good job of picking quotes that aren’t overly preachy, but this one happens to draw on a number of self-absorbed complaints. It’s up to the individual to take an action, and even then, you’re probably going to end up going to a school because you’re supposed to–or doing whatever society demands because it’s part of society.
A more accurate thing to say about 11 ways to be average is that it’s really just dancing around the single root of “average”–which is complacency. You make no decisions for yourself, and do what others have told you to do. If that leads you to a life that is more distinguished than another you might have missed, you are not average, but you are also not self determined, which, I think, is what Guillebeau meant to target in this quote–the desire to make your own choices and live your own life.
Therefore, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before popping a pill v3 diet pill voyager (Some examples include jumper squats and reverse push-ups).
Your article is nice , I read your article to learn a lot and hope to see your next article, look forward to your masterpiece
Your article is nice , I read your article to learn a lot and hope to see your next article, look forward to your masterpiece
Your article is nice , I read your article to learn a lot and hope to see your next article, look forward to your masterpiece
superb creation…its the perfect example of a every common men’s life.
Depressing, but so damned true. You’ve just got to change one thing to come out of that box! I should print that out, circle one thing, do it, and then do another.
Well done.. makes you think.
Elegante chaqueta corta hacia abajo, cuello suave y esponjosa esponjoso, muy juguetón, con Mickey Mouse diseño de la camiseta es una de las más en el puré. Describir el ancho y sin sensación de hinchazón, emparejado con las piernas apretadas, botas, muy hermosa.
I wont lie, I was very shy in high school and most of my life up till now. What helped me get out of that boring comfort zone was to confront my fears. And to place myself in situations I normally wouldnt be in etc. Leader roles in sports or social groups, having to do speeches and or performing on stage for something. Now I pretty much take chances, live life without that shadow following me and reminding me not to do things that are exciting or out of the box. Plenty stuff to do out there, enjoy it while you can 🙂
These comics should be in every school in the world!
1. ???????????11???????????????????????????????????????????????
2. ????????????????????????????( paradox )?
3. ????????????????????????????????????????( society )??????????????????????????????????11???????????????(???????)??????????( Entfremdung )????????????????
4. ????? Bertold Brecht ???????????????( Wenn die Haifische Menschen waeren,?????????????????????p.499-509 )???????????????????????????????????????
5. ????????????????????????????????
6. ???????????????????????????????
Tze-lung Chen,Feb.
02.2014,15:49
Not going to lie, not only do I have red hair, but I am also on my way to doing ALL of these things.
Woah! Scary and awesome at the same time!
Thanks for sharring! Your article is very nice
very nice article, good job thanks you
I’m planning to create my own blog, and a question comes up to my mind..
I personally object to the third. It maybe that I start something with a motive no different than others, what I get out of it is more important. It maybe that while conforming to mediocrity, I discover in me something that I never knew even existed. It takes effort to find out what you want to learn, but if you sit back just thinking about it, you may never learn anything. Instead, if you try and conform to some roles, you may find your own way of standing out.
I hope all people in this world see this picture then change the way they live. Just to end up of being “average” again. If you know what I mean.
OMG OMG.
It’s happen to me!
I have to change 🙁
Every weekend i used to pay a visit this website, for the reason that i wish for enjoyment, for the reason dcdedegbgdgk
As someone with a “remarkable” life, I would trade my situation for this guy’s life in a heartbeat. A good low-stress deskwarmer job that gives me plenty of free time to spend with family or enjoy myself, the financial security to sign a 30 year mortgage and take overseas vacations? I’d absolutely take that life.
Can i borrow your ideas in my blog? that would be cool, maybe someday I can help you too… Anyways, that was nice to read it 🙂 Thanks. Dr.
Sadly, it’s impossible to get into a decent college if you think it’s only because “you’re supposed to”.
I think it’s really a good article, every body should read it; forwarding it;
What do we want?
A poster of this comic to buy!
When do we want it?
Now!
think it’s really a good article, every body should read it; forwarding
hope all people in this world see this picture then change the way
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#sad
but true, sadly…
Thanks, This created a powerful impact on me !!!
The biggest problem in that comic is the illustration of the man in the subway. While I know it’s there to illustrate a point. You could’ve more realistically added him and a couple of people in cars, on their own, on a huge crowded and stuck freeway.
Subway or any form of common or alternative transportation, should be encouraged.
Amazing ! I love it ! gives me more inspiration to be as crazy (in eyes of the society) as i wanna be ! ~ love
(P.S. Gavin / ZenPencils you are filling the gap of much needed love and creativity. Thanks)
You are a remarkable man and your verses are dependably near our hearts.Keep it up.
“You don’t have to live your life the way other people expect you to.”
Oh, yeah? Well, I’m going to live my life as a remarkably average person. Because there’s nothing wrong with that and you’re a dick for thinking otherwise.
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You are a remarkable man and your verses are dependably near our hearts.Keep it up.
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I got over shyness by befriending people who looked more shy then myself and helping them to feel braver. It works!
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Read thrice and going to share it now…
Awesome one …
Thanks for sharing the post.. 🙂 🙂 🙂
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(To JS/07 M 378
This Marble Monument
Is Erected by the State)
He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be
One against whom there was no official complaint,
And all the reports on his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a
saint,
For in everything he did he served the Greater Community.
Except for the War till the day he retired
He worked in a factory and never got fired,
But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc.
Yet he wasn’t a scab or odd in his views,
For his Union reports that he paid his dues,
(Our report on his Union shows it was sound)
And our Social Psychology workers found
That he was popular with his mates and liked a drink.
The Press are convinced that he bought a paper every day
And that his reactions to advertisements were normal in every way.
Policies taken out in his name prove that he was fully insured,
And his Health-card shows he was once in hospital but left it cured.
Both Producers Research and High-Grade Living declare
He was fully sensible to the advantages of the Instalment Plan
And had everything necessary to the Modern Man,
A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.
Our researchers into Public Opinion are content
That he held the proper opinions for the time of year;
When there was peace, he was for peace: when there was war, he went.
He was married and added five children to the population,
Which our Eugenist says was the right number for a parent of his
generation.
And our teachers report that he never interfered with their
education.
Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd:
Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.
W.H. Auden, 1940
Yes i was like that but it’s not too late to change 😉
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Thank you Gavin for your “CHRIS GUILLEBEAU: 11 ways to be average” comic post
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Don’t be an average 🙂
Really a nice and sharable post.
Awesome graphic representation of being an “average” person. These are SO true! Get out there and try something. As Phil Knight (the founder of Nike) says – The quicker you fail the faster you can succeed.
You are a remarkable man and your verses are dependably near our hearts.Keep it up.
Don’t be an average ?
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