How would you describe your life? Do you smile from ear to ear as you speak about it or do you feel like you are settling for good enough? A recent client of mine spoke through her tears, her disappointment leaking out.

I just want to be happy, yet I feel completely miserable, she said almost sobbing.

Her quest for happiness seemed achievable when shed set the goal, yet knee deep in sadness she couldnt understand why this desire to be simply happy was creating such an upset.

The simple answer as to why happiness doesnt come easily is because we are not five anymore and we cant find that same everlasting happiness in our favorite ice cream cone. The more difficult truth, though, is that taking a stand to live beyond mediocre in your life is a difficult task.

At first, the whole idea of freeing yourself of a mediocre life, accepting that good enough is not good enough, will create an amazing amount of energy. You may have a sense of freedom that cant be contained. An energy that makes you giddy like a child of five standing at the ice cream store counter. In order to maintain that sense of freedom, though, you will have to give up things you have grown accustomed to in your life. This was exactly what my client was experiencing through her tears that day.

It is very difficult to let go of areas in our lives that weve grown used to, even if they werent areas that created happiness. The life we create for ourselves, even if we arent completely convinced we created it, is one that we know. I have heard many people say, at least I know the evil I have. Well, I say, good for you. I mean, if evil is who youre looking to share your life with, then, good for you, because you have succeeded. But living beyond mediocre, in order to have true happiness, means you will have to give up the safety net that you have created. Whether it is a relationship you have been putting up with, a family situation youve accepted or a career that has been less than motivating, you will have to accept letting go of what you know. Thats the hardest part.

As human beings, we put a lot of faith into the known, as if it grants us security. But does it? Just because you have the job, doesnt mean you will always be happy with the job or that you will even always have the job. So if it really isnt a known anyway, why not venture out of your comfort zone and find what really does make you happy? Unless, of course, you find comfort in owning your own evil. If not, here are some ways you can go about living beyond mediocre.

1- Start small. Choose two areas in your life where you have been accepting good enough. Write them down and list what keeps them from being great.

2- Write down several ways that could make them great (even if it means totally getting rid of them!).

3- Create a mental picture of what your life would look and feel like if you stopped settling for what you already had.

4- Commit yourself to what you want to do and then find someone you trust to help hold you accountable for these goals.

5- Allow yourself to feel the loss and know your sadness just means you are making changes and are that much closer to happiness.

Most importantly, acknowledge yourself for taking a stand to live beyond mediocre. It may not be easy to create it, but once you get there, you will wonder why you waited so long.