During my impressionable twenties, one of my favorite bands was Mutemath, an American alternative rock project founded by American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer Paul Meany.
Their song “The Typical” caught my attention and inspired me to strive for something more than the typical but to dream of the exceptional. However, through the years I began to understand that to achieve greatness without guidance, encouragement, and support likely results in regression back to the typical.
Some of the lyrics that inspired:
Come on, can’t I dream of one day
There’s nothing that can’t be done
But how long should it take somebody
Before they can be someone
The Chorus:
‘Cause I know there’s got to be another level
Somewhere closer to the other side
And I’m feeling like it’s now or never
Can I break the spell of the typical…
…I’m the typical
Because it’s dragging me down
I’d like to know about when
When does it all turn around
The Refrain:
Can I break the spell of the Typical…
Can I break the spell of the Typical…
Can I break the spell of the Typical…
I’m just the Typical…
I’m just the Typical…
I’m just the Typical…
As sad as this is in many ways, these lyrics capture our human condition. We dream of being someone exceptional, someone who has greatness in them, but we usually find ourselves less capable than we thought. Despite the lyrical acknowledgment that “there’s nothing that can’t be done” and that we are capable, the song repeatedly questions, “Can I break the spell of the typical?” Ending with a negative refrain: “I’m just the typical…”
How often do we find ourselves dreaming and believing only to drown our dreams in negative thoughts?
This is why I coach.
We all need guidance, encouragement, and support to achieve our dreams. We all need someone to believe in us; it’s rocket fuel to the soul.
A coach simply helps us get to where we want to go.
Now that I’m in my less impressionable forties, I strongly believe we don’t need to be exceptional to be significant. The secret is finding meaning in the “TYPICAL” things of life.
Such as being kind in opportune moments. Performing small acts of selflessness that no one notices. Or it could be just taking a moment to care simply by asking and listening.
These things, which most “typical thinking” considers unimportant, are quite exceptional.