RAISE YOUR STANDARDS AND INCREASE YOUR ENERGY

3 TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF SEPTEMBER (OR ANY MONTH)
THE TENSION BETWEEN WHO YOU ARE NOW AND WHO YOU WANT TO BE

 

Here’s a question: when did you last challenge yourself on your expectations?  August is a great month for looking back and checking in on how the year is going.  How come?   Well, enjoying a holiday means we take a break from the usual day-to-day routine which gives us space to reflect and, as a result of being more relaxed, some deep insights can occur.  If we apply this insight to our expectations of ourselves, and make some changes, we can put ourselves up with the elite.

Would you like a practical example of a change we can make?  Well, how about starting a new habit (or ditching an old one) while still on vacation?  Something that you can continue when back home, something that would improve your life, or the lives of those you care about.

Here’s a quick tip: write down now on a scrap of paper a reminder to yourself to challenge your expectations of yourself.  Now slip that scrap of paper into the middle of that book (or e-reader cover) you’re going to read on holiday.  This one action really does have the power to change your life!

Another question: what have you been tolerating lately?  What have you just been putting up with?  Is there something you’ve been accepting of yourself, when deep down you know that you can do even better?  Once again, being away from the daily grind gives us time to recognise this.  It provides an opportunity to come up with a plan to deal with it, and perhaps even the freedom to take the first few steps along the way to overcoming it.

Last month, we looked at how the tension between who you are now and who you want to be is a catalyst for change.  To speed up taking action, why not raise your standards?  Lower the threshold of what you are prepared to put up with in your own behaviour and perhaps, from others too.  For example, many of my executive coaching clients decide to upgrade how they run their work day.  They change the way they manage their teams and schedules so that they are brain-friendly and not creating stress.  As a result, they achieve more, not just at work, but in many areas of their lives.

Demand more (in a positive way)

They also decide to demand more and therefore enhance their relationships at work and / or at home. Initially, you may think that this sounds negative.  However, when viewed through the lens of how can I contribute to make this relationship even better?  it gives you a totally different perspective.  When you demand more from yourself in terms of what you are no longer prepared to accept, your happiness and fulfilment can increase.

Increase your expectations of your potential

Raise your standards of how you perceive yourself and what you are capable of.  You are the greatest YOU that ever lived.  There is always more to learn.  You are always doing better than you think you are.  For that expectation of yourself that you are not happy about, pump up that belief and expect to succeed and achieve.  Then come up with a plan.  Then follow the plan.

Oh, and enjoy your holiday!