The Art of Setting High Standards for Yourself

Successful people tend to have high standards. Why? Because your standards determine whether you keep your commitments, how effectively you manage resources such as time, how you relate to other people, and the level of organization and care you bring to your tasks. 

Setting high standards for yourself means having a set of guidelines that you try to meet or exceed in various aspects of your life. These standards determine your behavior, actions, and choices, pushing you to strive for excellence rather than settling for mediocrity. 

When you uphold high standards, it doesn’t just benefit you. It creates a positive ripple effect, uplifting your team’s productivity and morale.

Here’s how to set high standards for yourself:

  • Determine your standards: Want to set high expectations for yourself? Start by thinking through a self-assessment to evaluate your current habits, actions, and behaviors. Consider where you’d like improvements or changes, whether that’s in your work, personal relationships, or other aspects of your life like time management and health.
  • Set measurable goals: Create specific and measurable goals that align with your desired standards. Make sure these goals not only challenge you but also align with your core values and principles, as a mismatch can make maintaining these standards unsustainable in the long run.
  • Avoid perfectionism: Have you ever tried to do something that required so much effort that you lost steam and gave up? Keep in mind that high standards aren’t about being perfect; they’re about always trying your best. So, stay the course, learn from your mistakes, and keep getting better.
  • Embrace growth: Working with high standards can bring long-term benefits to your career and personal growth. Not to mention, being on a journey of personal excellence is something to feel extremely proud of. So, embrace the power of high standards.

Questions

  1. How do your current habits align with the standards you wish to set for yourself?
  2. What specific goals can you set to meet or exceed your desired standards?

Resource

https://blog.iqmatrix.com/raising-standards