Skip to main content

Setting the Bar Higher: Why Aiming for 'Normal' is the Enemy of Your Potential


Feeling stuck in a rut? Society's "normal" might not be your best fit. Join me today as we explore the power of setting high standards for self-discipline and unlocking your true potential! Let's rewrite the rules and reach for greatness together.

"Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself - and be lenient to everybody else." - Henry Ward Beecher

Hey there, fellow self-improvers! We all face the pressure to conform, to follow the "normal" path. But what if "normal" doesn't unlock your true potential? What if setting higher standards for yourself is the key to unlocking the greatness within?

I hear ya! I get the "Why bother?" comments all the time. "You're healthy already, why track your macros?" "Early mornings and early nights? You're crazy!" But here's the thing: mediocrity is comfy, but it's not where dreams come true. My high standards might seem strange to some, but they're the fuel that keeps me pushing forward, achieving goals, and (dare I say) living a pretty awesome life!



Why "Normal" Doesn't Cut It:

Face it, most people's "normal" is unhealthy, overworked, and uninspired. If you follow the crowd, you'll likely end up just another statistic. But YOU are different, you have the potential for extraordinary things. Setting higher standards allows you to:

 • Push past limitations: Break free from societal expectations and carve your own path.
• Embrace self-control: Mastering your impulses and emotions is a superpower in a world of instant gratification.
• Achieve excellence: Aiming for "good enough" won't get you there. Set your sights higher and watch your potential unfold.

Your Interactive Exercise:

1. Reflect on areas in your life where you might be settling for "normal."
2. Identify one area where you could set a higher standard for yourself.
3. Share your challenge in the comments! Let's hold each other accountable and celebrate our progress.


Theoretical & Practical Exercise:

Theory: Explore the concept of "self-efficacy" and how it relates to setting high standards and achieving goals.
Practice: Create a "personal standards board" listing your values and goals in different areas of life. Track your progress and celebrate wins!

Today's Takeaway Thought:

Don't let society's definition of "normal" hold you back. Set ambitious standards for yourself, embrace the challenge, and watch your potential soar! Remember, your dreams are worth more than fitting in.

What are some high standards you've set for yourself? Share your tips and stories in the comments! I'll feature them in my upcoming video blog stream. Let's inspire each other to reach for the stars!

Further Book & Video Resources:

Book: "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol Dweck
Video: "TED Talk: The Power of Believing You Can Improve" by Carol Dweck

Remember, self-discipline is a journey, not a destination. Keep setting your sights high, and you'll achieve things you never thought possible. Keep journaling, keep striving, and keep shining! ✨

#SelfDiscipline, #HighStandards, #OwnYourPotential, #BreakFreeFromNormal, #EmbraceTheChallenge,

Comments

Posts

The Ripple Effect of Choices

Tiny Decisions, Lifelong Consequences "Your choices are made in a moment, but their consequences will transcend a lifetime." - MJ DeMarco Every choice we make, big or small, carries the potential to shape our lives in profound ways. Often, we underestimate the power of these seemingly insignificant decisions, believing that one slip-up won't matter in the grand scheme of things. However, the reality is that our choices, like pebbles dropped into a pond, create ripples that extend far beyond the present moment. Like the waves that wash upon the shore, our choices shape the course of our lives. Each decision we make, whether it's what we eat, how we spend our time, or how we respond to challenges, contributes to the overall trajectory of our existence. - Have you ever made a choice that you later regretted? How did that decision affect your life? Our choices are not isolated events; they are interconnected and form the foundation of our characte

Word Search Puzzle: Self-Discipline

Tired of feeling mentally sluggish? Wish you could boost your brainpower and sharpen your focus in a fun and engaging way? The wait is over! We're thrilled to announce the launch of the Mindful Unleashed Puzzle Zone, a brand new section of our blog overflowing with interactive activities designed to: Challenge your mind Expand your awareness Relieve stress Sharpen your cognitive skills This week, we're kicking things off with a focus on self-discipline! We've got a variety of brain teasers waiting for you, including: Word searches Memory games Jigsaw puzzles And that's just the beginning! We'll be adding new activities all the time, like: Crosswords Word scrambles Sliding puzzles Typing and calculation puzzles ⌨️ Plus, there's more! Each month, we'll be hosting a special challenge based on the featured activity. The winner will score a FREE copy of one of my published ebooks! Runners-up can also snag some exciting prizes like discounts on my organic

Self-care: A holistic approach to well-being

Self-care is the practice of taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. It is essential for overall well-being and can help you to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve your mood. There are many different forms of self-care, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some common examples include: Physical self-care: getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting medical checkups as needed. Mental self-care: learning new things, challenging yourself intellectually, and doing activities that you enjoy. Emotional self-care: spending time with loved ones, practicing relaxation techniques, and expressing your emotions in a healthy way. Spiritual self-care: connecting with your values and beliefs, spending time in nature, and meditating. It is important to find a balance of self-care activities that work for you and to make time for them in your daily routine. Even small acts of self-care can make

Unlock Your Inner Superhero: Self-Discipline as Freedom

  " Self-discipline is a form of freedom. Freedom from laziness and lethargy, freedom from the expectations and demands of others, freedom from weakness and fear or doubt. Self-discipline allows a pitcher to feel his individuality, his inner strength, his talent. He is master of, rather than a slave to, his thoughts and emotions. " - H. A. Dorfman Empowering & Thought-Provoking Tone: Ever feel like self-discipline is the ultimate thief, stealing your joy and locking you in a cage of "shoulds" and "musts"? Well, it's time to rewrite the narrative. Self-discipline, my friend, is your superpower, the key to unlocking true freedom . Shifting Your Perspective: Imagine a world where you're not a prisoner of your impulses. You make conscious choices, fueled by inner strength, not ruled by external demands or fleeting desires. That's the power of self-discipline. Your Interactive Exercise: Think of a time when you exercised

The Human Paradox: Embracing Self-Discipline to Unleash Your True Potential

What separates us from the animal kingdom?  Is it our intelligence, our creativity, or our ability to form deep connections with others? While all of these qualities are undeniably unique to humans, there's another, often overlooked aspect of our humanity that is just as crucial: self-discipline. Self-discipline is the ability to control our impulses, resist temptation, and make choices that align with our long-term goals, even when they conflict with our immediate desires. It's the capacity to delay gratification, to persevere through challenges, and to overcome obstacles. Interactive Exercise: 1. Reflect on a time when you made a decision that was difficult but ultimately beneficial in the long run. What motivated you to make that choice? 2. Identify a recurring pattern of behavior in your life that you would like to change. How could you exercise more self-discipline in this area? 3. Create a plan for incorporating more self-discipline into your daily life. W

The Fear of Exams

" The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." by Lao Tzu In a world of uncertainties and doubts, there are moments when fear holds us back from pursuing our dreams. One such moment is the fear of exams, a daunting task that can leave us feeling anxious and overwhelmed. It is a fear that can stem from a lack of confidence in our abilities, a fear of failure, or a fear of not measuring up to our own expectations.

Self-Discipline: A Journey, Not a Destination

On Enlightenment (Estimated Reading Time: 4-minute read) Don't expect self-discipline to magically appear. It's a continuous practice that makes life easier in the long run. Self-Discipline: A Journey, Not a Destination Have you ever dreamt of reaching a point where self-discipline becomes effortless? We often imagine a magical "enlightenment" where resisting temptation becomes easy. This post challenges that notion. Building self-discipline is a continuous practice, not a destination. It's about making consistent choices that align with your long-term goals, even when faced with temptation. The Myth of Sudden Enlightenment The Zen saying, "Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water," perfectly captures this concept. There's no magical threshold where self-control becomes automatic. Just like you continuously choose healthy foods today for a future benefit, self-discipline requires ongoing effort.