We all have standards. They’re the bar we set for ourselves, and they’re what help us achieve our goals. But what happens when our standards start to slip?
It’s easy to let our standards slip when we’re tired or stressed or feel beaten down by others who do not exhibit our standards and feel a need to reduce them. We might start to cut corners or give up altogether. Success requires us to maintain our standards.
As the performance expert, Dr. Julie Gruner says, “Standards are the foundation of success.” They give us the confidence to take risks and persevere in the face of challenges.
So, how do we maintain our standards? Here are a few tips:
• Be clear about your standards. What are the things that are most important to you? What are the things that you’re willing to compromise on?
• Set realistic goals. You’re more likely to give up if your goals are too ambitious. Start with small goals you know you can achieve, then gradually increase the challenge.
• Be accountable. Tell someone else about your standards, and ask them to help you stay on track.
• Celebrate your successes. When you reach a goal, take some time to celebrate your success. This will help you stay motivated and keep moving forward.
As a leader, we are required to set standards and maintain them. Any great sportsperson will come into a team and make their teammates better. It is because of their exacting standards that they can elevate others. And soon, those who do not subscribe to those standards will either leave or may need to leave.
Maintaining our standards is not always easy, but it’s essential if we want to be successful. Standards are the foundation of success. They give us the confidence to take risks and persevere in the face of challenges.
After all, when we lower our standards, we lower our self-esteem.
