The only way to affect real change is to raise our standards. Yes, some change seems forced upon us. Although if we truly want to change—to go for our best—we have to be willing to raise the bar.
At some point, either through motivation, inspiration or just plain disgust, we have to say, “No more!” No more will we accept what we’ve been doing as good enough. No longer will we settle for the status quo.
Instead, we’ll raise our standards and accept nothing less.
An important part of doing this is to up-level our belief as to what’s actually possible. Until Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile barrier, almost everyone thought it was impossible to run that fast. What’s interesting is that as soon as it was no longer seen as the impossible barrier it was, others ran a sub four-minute mile. In fact, in the year that followed Bannister’s breakthrough, several people ran a mile in less than 240 seconds.
I believe we’re all somewhat in the dark about what we’re actually capable of accomplishing. Remember, if one other person has done it, it’s possible you can, too. If no one has ever done it, you can be the first.
Another key to raising your belief and subsequently raising your standards is to hang around possibility thinkers. People who already have high standards and challenge themselves to go even higher help us to up-level our thinking.
It works with big things and with small. Hang out with people who are neat-niks, and you’ll find yourself becoming neater. Hang out with big thinkers and people who are 9s or 10s on the go-for-it-scale and you’ll begin to think bigger, too.
Shakespeare wrote, “A rising tide floats all ships.” And so it is when we—or others around us—raise our standards.
Conversely, when we spend our time with people with low standards, it’s a LOT harder to raise the bar. It can be done, but it takes much more commitment and hard work.
The first step is to determine where you are—what’s working and what’s not working in your life. What are you fed up with? What are you sick and tired about being sick and tired about? Look for the emotion—the pain, the disgust, the frustration.
It’s about getting clear on what you TRULY want to change. And it’s about being totally clear about what you’re willing to accept and what you won’t.
What are your current standards of acceptance and what are the new ones that really matter to you? That’s the place to start.
Action Point
What’s working in your life? What’s NOT working? Make a list of things you’re tolerating that you no longer want to accept as part of your life—the things you MUST change—not the things you’d LIKE to change.
Raise the Bar Part Two is at http://SuccessNet.org/raise-bar2
Recommended Resource – Free Report
Raising the Bar: Increasing Your Standards of Excellence
If you truly want to change—to go for your best—you have to be willing to raise the bar. This report challenges you stop settling for average and break through to new levels of excellence. It includes great ideas and helpful resources to get you started on a lifetime search for the best.
