From Dr. Mennis Perman the Masters Circle 7-28-03 amy@themasterscircle.com Dear Doctor: This week's column is on standards, the beliefs we have around something's relative value or worth, and the actions and behaviors that those distinctions demand of us. Prioritizing our values creates a hierarchy of time and energy investment, the gradient of which is determined by our perception of an outcome's current or future importance and urgency. In simple terms, we need to know where to put our attention, both to be consistent with our sense of self and also to develop certainty that we will reach our goals. Our standards are the guidelines we select that let us know if we are demonstrating those ideals in reality. The highest achievers know they need to set a BAB - a base acceptable bottom, below which they will not permit themselves to sink - and also to keep raising the bar for themselves and others, not only to decorate themselves with the spoils of victory, but to acknowledge the process itself, that clearly states -- lead, follow, or get out of the way. This is not a pompous pursuit of self-aggrandizement, but rather a recognition that all greatness is accomplished through some magical confluence of genius, timing and sweat equity, and that the part we have the most control over is the hard work part. That's why it behooves us to hold ourselves to the highest principles and greatest degree of engagement available to us, so that we maximize the return by not allowing ourselves to leave any opportunity uninvestigated or any pertinent task undone. Think about your key values, the stuff that is of core significance in your life. Everyone's list will look different - God, family, chiropractic, success, fun, freedom, health, growth, relationships, quality of life, and so on - each of us defines happiness in terms of the fulfillment of any or all of these in the proportions that we have imagined as ideal for us. Our standards are the rules that we think will get us closer to that ideal balance, and the more you evaluate and refine those standards and hold yourself to them, the more you increase your advantage. It's not a guarantee, but it is guaranteed that if you adjust your standards to meet your ideals and follow through with actions that are an outgrowth of those standards, it will be more likely that your dreams come to fruition. When you identify your standards and are willing to honor them and constantly upgrade them, you generate an energy of attraction. Performing at higher and higher levels has a momentum associated with it, and you can add to your power and velocity by practicing what Tony Robbins calls CANI! - Constant and Never-ending Improvement, a choice to apply your creativity and intellect to notice and act on ways to make things even better. Really, the roots of your particular code of standards are in your purpose - it is the ultimate filter through which all your standards must pass. When your purpose is clear, your decision-making gets black and white - either your purpose is served by the option before you, or it is not. Establish a code of standards for yourself, defining the basic rules you'd prefer to hold yourself to - and then, begin to implement those concepts on a daily basis. You'll be amazed how challenging yourself to be a little better each day causes you to magnify yourself in every way. Raise your standards - ask more of yourself, and you'll surely deliver.