Friday, January 5, 2007

Raise The Bars!


Let me start this by asking you a question. Have people ever complained that your standards are too high – to the point where they feel they can’t measure up? Or have you ever been accused of just being too average?

In your quest to have a better 2007, I want to challenge you to raise the bars! Raise your personal standards. Be dissatisfied with the status quo. Don’t accept anything less than the best. Average is not good enough for you. The first step to raising the bars on yourself will be to make a commitment to do so.

One of the greatest injustices you will do to yourself is comparing your standards with those of others – especially those you think you are better than. I have heard many people pride themselves about being better than others. What consolation will it be to you that you ate a better-than-average diet when you’re diagnosed with cancer? Will you be comforted by the fact that you had a better job than your friends after pouring years of your life into unfulfilling work? Is it OK that your marriage is a dud because most of your peers are divorced?

Comparing yourself to other people is a waste of time. It’s only going to get you stuck in mediocrity. If you compare yourself to those who are much worse off than you, you’ll look like a king. The standards of other people are totally irrelevant. What matters is that you listen to your own intelligence, set your own standards, and do the best you are capable of doing. The only question that matters for setting your standards is this: Are you doing your best? If the answer is yes, you’ve got nothing to be ashamed of, regardless of how your results stack up against other people. If the answer is no, then you’ve got to raise the bars. Your standards can still be better!

Raising the bar on yourself requires that you start noticing things that were previously below your level of awareness. You need to be aware of what to change. Change is the only constant thing in life. To be better than you are now, some things will have to change in you and around you. You might need to change your habits. Raise the bar on your habits. You might need to change your relationships. You might need to your thought pattern. Things need to change around you.

Hold yourself to high standards. Nothings less than the best is good enough for you.

Stay on top!

3 comments:

ODODO said...

Pastor Tea,
I've been following up on your postings and i must say i am thoroughly proud of you and the value you're adding to lives. Keep it up!

Yes o, one's got to raise the bars - especially one's personal standards which overall gives a summary of one's self worth/value, it sure makes every other thing around one change. When i grow up, i wanna be like you.. :-))

Hope you're having fun. Ciao!

Anonymous said...

The word average is original a derivation to mean "damaged goods"....since i found that out, i refused to be assosiated with that word in any part of my life..Why would anyone what to be average? why would you want to be "damaged secondhand goods"? Aim high and challenge yourself instead, and if it's too high for others, so be it!

You be the best you!

bridget said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR papa. yur blogspot has a new very cool look, and with yu i know it only gets better. With the new year gonna make sure im the best you, and im definity raising the bars this year,people shuld learn to rise above average, previous standards should be used as a spring board for greater exploits and broader horizons,the sky is really as far as your eyes can see.beautiful write up, tnx again

You are destined for the top of the topmost top! See you there!!