/lit/ - Literature

>>20638682
Have the MC be satisfied with making and meeting goals, and with each goal the MC sets the bar higher for the next. The desire to stay mediocre or just "OK" should probably induce a sense of revulsion or panic, as it does me, since I'm striving for greatness myself. The MC can punish themselves for failing a goal or can merely mope around and feel sorry for themselves, and then on the morrow they get back on the horse. There will be times when they just want to take it easy and coast, even though they're telling themselves you're wasting time and will live to be quite ordinary, but the pressure from friends or family to "take it easy" along with their own desire for a break will push them toward just being content.
Some combination of this with a reasonable plot should make it a good story..