I am a B+. Throughout my life, I have consistently performed at a B+ level. Sure, for short periods of time, with great and consistent effort, I have managed to push myself into the A minus or even, dare I dream, to the A and A plus level. These almost unattainable levels of performance take energy, perseverance and dedication and I almost always finding myself falling back into that inglorious B+ range once again. So, you may ask, just exactly what is B+ and what does it mean if that is your lot in life?
To start with, let’s define what I mean by B plus . B+ means that you fall just above the range of those poor, plain, B folks. You know those people who go around in life, better than average, but not quite like their close neighbors, the esteemed B plusers A B plus person, of course, is not quite an A person, or even an A minus individual. No, a B plus person is not above average, but he or she simply cannot be classified as an A individual. A B pluser just does not make that cut.
In classroom terms, a B+ student will fall somewhere in the range of 87-88 on most standardized tests. You see, an 89 would move that B plus person up to an A minus rating, while falling to 86 puts him or her in that dreaded B range, where people who are merely above average spend most of their days.
In college, where points are generally awarded for your academic success, a B plus person would certainly fall in the range of 3.5-3.7, where 4.0 is A plus work, and a 3.8 average would be the equivalent of an A minus in high school. I know that these numbers and figures are somewhat arbitrary, but I want to be certain to define, as closely as possible, where you can find all of us B plus individuals. We are an exclusive club, you see.
Now that you know, from a statistical standpoint ,where B plus people reside in the scale of things, let’s explain what living as a B plus person really means. You see, B plus people are just slightly better than a little better than average, but not quite good enough to be classified as outstanding, excellent, gifted or even brilliant. The people who live in my little B plus demographic are very good at what they do, not quite excellent, but certainly better than simply average.
These marvelous B plus people could be that next door neighbor, who has a pretty good lawn, not great, but better than average. He or she has a slightly better that good home on a slightly better than average little street in a modestly better neighborhood than is found in the rest of your fine city; but his home is just not quite up to the standard of those magnificent homes right down the street or around the block in the area with the better views and property values.
In the workforce, the B plus people tend to be just a little bit better performers than most of the workforce, but not quite good enough to get the desired promotions or better raises. They fall just a little bit short of making the employee of the month award and these B plus folks populate most of the mid-mangement ranks. They consistently score well on their performance reviews, better than most, but just not quite good enough to be labeled “fast track,” The corner office and the “perfect” job on the west coast are just barely out of reach. They are solid, not gifted, performers and almost always finish a close second in job interviews for that marvelous and ideal opportunity. Greatness lies just inches away. Such is the life of a B plus person in the workforce.
I am not bemoaning the fate of the B plusers, I am merely stating facts. We are not average, no, we are not even above average people. We do not cause problems, but at the same time, we do not set records, go to the Olympics or win the championships. B plus folks live just outside the winner’s circle, close enough to see it, and far enough away from the “Did not finish” group to have something to be proud of. Our motto could be “Close, but no cigar.” or “Always a bridesmaid,never a bride.” Staying with the horse-racing analogy, we would be the horse who always finishes second when a photo finish is called for. Or, as Maxwell Smart, that infamous secret agent used to say, “Missed it by that much.”
In junior and senior high school, I was part of what they lovingly used to call the “Honors” group. We were first placed together in 8th grade and kept relatively intact until high school, where we could also select non-honors or college-placement courses. The qualifications for the Honors group were many, but I recall one distinct requirement being that we must have a 90 or above average and maintain that average throughout our high school days. I believe my parents pushed the school administrators to accept me into this group as my grade school average then, you guessed i,t was a solid 88, squarely in the B plus range. I am proud to say that I pushed my average up past 90 for a short period of time, however, at my high school graduation, I found myself with an 88 again, right back home with all of my friends in the B plus group. It felt good to be back home.
College forced me to drive just a little bit harder and I discovered that with a great deal of hard work every day; without much rest or even letting up for just one day, I could maintain an A average on a consistent basis. I had to toil harder than everyone in my class, wake up early,stay up late, do more research, get more assistance and tutoring and study for every test, no matter how small or insignificant. With that kind of effort, I could be an A student. I was no longer a B plus; but I always feared that if I let down for even one day, I would once again join the mostly silent members of my comfortable B plus club. I am proud to say that I graduated with a Master’s degree and a 3.92 grade point average. Yes, that is an A in anyone’s book. Hard work truly does pay off, or at least push you into the A range.
What I have learned, as a natural B+ person, is that hard work, consistent effort, never giving up and maintaining laser-like focus over long periods of time, can move a B+ person into the A range. I also like to believe that it has made me what I am today. I do not think that I would have accomplished all that I have, lived where and how I want to live and work at what I really enjoy doing; if I had been born an A person. I have struggled and toiled every day to become the person who I am with solid effort and specific goals. I do not think I would have accomplished all of that, if I was born an A. And for that, after all those years, I am honestly grateful.
Knowing that you are a B plus and accepting that fact, are two entirely different things. Wanting to become MORE than a B plus person, well, that can best be described as desire. And I have discovered that desiring to be more than you currently are, is a mighty powerful trait to posses. It can even trump all of those natural A’s. May that trait of desire always burn brightly in your life, each and every day.