We set standards based on past decisions and make future decisions based on our standards. Setting good standards is crucial to making good decisions, which is why it’s important to set standards consciously and not take them for granted. Life offers no fairness so instead you must impose fairness on life.
Standards form the basis around which we determine our daily needs. Being aware of your standards and their impact on your life is a crucial stage of self-awareness. High standards often lead us to work longer and harder on the task but can also lead to greater doubts and frustrations.
Ways to uplift your standards in life
Define your expectations
Gain clarity on what you truly expect in your life. Define your expectations in various areas, whether it’s in your relationships, career, or personal growth. This will set the foundation for elevating your standards. To do this you need to
- Reflect on your values and what truly matters to you
- Write down your expectations in various areas
- Regularly revisit and refine them as you grow
Prioritize self-respect
Elevate your standards by making self-respect a priority. Recognize that you deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity. By valuing yourself, you set the stage for others to respect you too. To improve you need to
- Practice self-compassion and self-care regularly
- Set clear boundaries and communicate your expectations in your relationships
- Surround yourself with individuals who uplift and respect you
Cultivate continuous learning
We all agree that continuous learning is key to raising your standards. This means that you have to embrace the journey of acquiring knowledge and developing new skills. While doing this you have to stay curious, open-minded and ahead of the curve. To achieve this you have to:
- Dedicate time to reading, taking courses, or learning new skills
- You have seek out mentors and experts in areas that interest you
- Make learning a daily habit to keep your standards high.
Consistency Over motivation
As much as motivation is needed, raising standards relies on displine and consistency. Inorder to remain constant you have todevelop systems and routines that keep you on track, even on days when motivation wanes. To improve you have to:
- Establish daily or weekly routines that align with your goals
- Eliminate distractions that hinder your consistency
- Continuously monitor your progress and adjust your systems as needed
Elevate your circle
In all honesty, your social circle significantly influences your standards. Being that, you have to choose friends and associates who share your values and goals. Surrounding yourself with a supportive and inspiring circle to encourage growth. Elevating your circle will require you to:
- Reflect on your current social circle and its influence on your standards
- Seek out like-minded individuals or groups that align with your aspirations
- Prioritize quality over quantity in your relationships
Embrace challenges
By the way, raising your standards involves stepping out of your comfort zone. Where you have to see challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth. And you have to embrace them as stepping stones towards your goal. Here is how to do it:
- Set goals that push your limits and challenge you
- Welcome failure as a teacher rather than a setback
- Seek out challenging experiences that test your abilities and broaden your horizons
Take action boldly
Lastly, action is the catalyst for change and change is essential to raise your standards. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; act before you feel ready. This means that you have to transform your life by putting action at the forefront. Here is how you can do it:
- Embrace a bias towards action in your decision-making process
- Break down your goals into actionable steps
- Accept that imperfection is part of the journey, and taking action is more important than waiting for perfection
Other than raising them too high, which we’ve already spoken about, it’s important that your standards are just that: yours. It won’t benefit you to measure yourself against the standards of others, or to compare your standards to theirs. What you decide is right for you will be different to what another person decides is right for them. There may be a lot of overlap, but there will also be things that differ either slightly or a great deal.