Hitting rock bottom is actually good math - here's why a miserable day is actually great news
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the law of averages—not as some abstract math concept but as a game changer for how we handle life’s inevitable curveballs. And it all started with a bad doctor.
This doctor wasn’t just bad; they were bad. The kind of bad where you leave the appointment questioning if they’ve ever actually read a medical textbook. I was fuming, venting to anyone who’d listen, “How could I end up with such an awful doctor? What are the odds?”
And then it hit me. What are the odds? If 7 out of 10 doctors are great, then statistically speaking, I was due for a dud. It wasn’t personal. It wasn’t the universe conspiring against me. It was just… math.
The law of averages is the principle that over time, the outcomes of a situation tend to even out to their expected value. It’s not a guarantee for any single event but rather a pattern that emerges when you zoom out. If 7 out of 10 doctors are great, then statistically, you’re likely to encounter a mix of good and bad experiences over time.
The moment I reframed it, I felt a weight lift. This wasn’t a catastrophe. It was just my turn for one of the 3 out of 10. No big deal. I’d find another doctor. Moving on.
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Yesterday was day 6 of my 75 Hard challenge, and it was a slog. I hated every minute of my second 45-minute outdoor workout. Getting enough protein felt impossible when I was three hours late for lunch. Reading 10 pages was the absolute last thing I wanted to do at 10:30 PM, but I dragged myself through it. Checked every box, barely.
Yesterday was my 3/10 bad doctor day and it says nothing about Day 7 energy.
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This is the big leadership play: you’ve got to keep playing the game.
The bad moments? They’re just part of the averages - the small part of the larger pattern.
Think about it:
You host a dozen team brainstorming sessions. Most feel like a slog, but one sparks an idea that revolutionizes your strategy.
You try out 10 new social media strategies. Most fall flat, but one goes viral and skyrockets engagement.
You go to 10 networking events. A few are duds, but one introduces you to a mentor who changes your career trajectory.
It’s all part of the game. The problem is, we forget the averages. When we hit a rough patch, it feels like the universe is out to get us.
“I can’t believe this happened.” “I’m so unlucky.” “This always happens to me.”
Sound familiar? But here’s the thing: those bad moments? They’re just statistics playing out. They’re not your whole story. They’re a blip—a part of the average.
The Law of Averages Mindset is the belief that consistent effort and persistence, no matter the outcome of each individual attempt, will eventually lead to the success you're aiming for. It’s about recognizing that success doesn’t always come immediately, but with enough attempts, the odds shift in your favor. Whether it's sales, relationships, or personal growth, the law of averages reminds you that growth is inevitable when you're putting in the work.
For me, that bad doctor? I found a new one. And they’re a total rockstar. The law of averages, once again, came through.
And Day 7? I'm in it right now with brand new Day 7 energy.
Keep playing the game. The good stuff is closer than you think.
With belief in what’s possible,
Shar
PS – Sometimes the 7 out of 10 moments take a little longer to show up. But they always do: just keep playing your big game.
PPS: I'll be live reporting for the next 75 days on my personal instagram @sharbanerjee. See you there!