Video: The Fear of Being Average

This past week, I stumbled across this video that honestly had me sitting there thinking longer than I expected. It talked about what “average” really means, and the story it used stuck with me. The video followed a chef who originally dreamed of being a writer. He tried, failed multiple times, and eventually leaned into what he was already good at cooking. Over time, he became very successful as a chef. From the outside, people saw him as above average, even exceptional. But internally, he felt boxed in. He felt like he had settled. Not because he wasn’t doing well, but because he chose the safer route the skill that was most comfortable instead of continuing to pursue the thing that scared him.

That’s what really made me pause.

Because how often do we label success based on what others see, while ignoring how limited we feel on the inside? He wasn’t struggling. He wasn’t failing. Yet he still felt like he was living an average life not because of lack of success, but because of lack of risk.

So that got me thinking: how does this show up financially?

Average isn’t about where you start financially.

Average is about how willing you are to move.

Watching the video really challenged my thinking. It made me realize that being average isn’t about income, talent, or background it’s about mindset. Average often shows up as staying where it’s comfortable. It looks like not applying because you might get rejected, not starting because you might fail, or not investing time, money, or effort because the outcome isn’t guaranteed. That hit me. I realized being average isn’t about having little it’s about risking little. And growth, whether spiritually, financially, or personally, always requires some level of risk. Not reckless risk, but intentional, faith driven steps forward.

The Comfort Trap

A lot of people don’t fail they stall.

They stay in the same habits.
The same financial patterns.
The same mindset.

Not because they’re incapable, but because comfort feels safe.

Comfort says:

• “I’ll wait until I’m 100% ready.”
  
• “I’ll do it when it feels right.”
  
• “I don’t want to mess up what I already have.”
  

But comfort rarely produces growth.

In finances especially, playing it too safe can quietly keep you stuck:

• Never learning how money works
  
• Never investing in yourself
  
• Never budgeting intentionally
  
• Never thinking long-term
  

You’re not losing but you’re not building either.

Risk Doesn’t Mean Reckless

This is important: taking risks does not mean being irresponsible.

Faith based risk is different from impulsive risk.

It’s:

• budgeting before investing
  
• learning before leaping
  
• planning before spending
  
• Praying before deciding
  

It’s knowing that growth requires movement, but wisdom sets the pace.

I’ve learned that real progress happens when you’re willing to step forward with intention, even when the outcome isn’t fully clear.

One thing that keeps me grounded is remembering that I’m a steward, not an owner.

That mindset changes everything.

If what I have is entrusted to me, then my responsibility isn’t to hoard it out of fear it’s to manage it wisely. Matthew 25:14–30 actually gives an amazing parable that shows this. That responsibility includes being willing to grow, stretch, and build for the future.

Faith doesn’t eliminate risk.
It reframes it.

It reminds me that obedience and growth often live on the other side of comfort.

Brick by Brick Still Requires Courage

People hear “brick by brick” and think it means slow, safe, and easy.

It doesn’t.

Brick by brick still requires:

• discipline when nobody’s watching
  
• patience when results aren’t immediate
  
• Consistency when quitting would be easier
  

It means trusting the process even when it’s not flashy.

Choosing to build steadily instead of staying stagnant takes courage.

The Real Question

So maybe the question isn’t:

“Am I doing better than everyone else?”

But:

“Am I growing, or am I just staying comfortable?”

Because average isn’t poor.
Average is choosing safety over growth.
Average is staying where you are because it feels familiar.

And I don’t want that.

I want a life that’s intentional.
A financial foundation that’s stable.
A mindset that’s disciplined.
A faith that moves me forward.

Not all at once.
Not recklessly.

But brick by brick.

Faith. Finance. Fun.

Brick by Brick Finance