Summertime offers the best experiences, doesn’t it? Campfires and friends. Vacations. Relaxation. Those are times where we expect the best.
But we are going to talk about expecting the best in our everyday lives because sometimes we just settle for less. Why not expect the best from the everyday? What if you planned your days like you plan your vacations?
When you expect the best, you have self-control. There is joy. You celebrate success. When you set your standards high and strive for the best, you won’t settle for anything less. Show up with your best self every day.
Having high standards demands focus. You have to set clear and consistent expectations. Don’t settle for less. Expect the best from others and yourself.
I write to set high standards. It’s not that I have everything in perfect control, because believe me, I don’t. I write to help other people by sharing what I’m learning. I’m not the best, yet but I’m striving to get there. I want others to live a life to the fullest, a life full of joy.
Personal Integrity
Who are you? Who do you want to be? How do you want others to perceive you? Are you someone that others can count on?
Setting expectations high ensures personal integrity. People come to know that you are a person who doesn’t settle for less. You become a person of integrity. Family and friends will know they can count on you to always give your best.
I struggle with things in life, just like everyone else. Struggles help us to grow in character and virtue. But I want to be someone who others look to for advice. I try to give the best of who I am every day.
High expectations requires love and honesty with others. Sometimes being honest can come off as being judgmental if you are easily offended. But don’t be offended. Step up to higher standards. Those who expect the best, want the best for others, too. Always expect the best from others with love.
We aren’t talking about being better than someone else. This is about being our best self. Humility plays a big part in treating others with kindness. Always treat others as better than yourself, the way that you would like to be treated.
Action Steps
Here are some action steps you can take to set higher standards:
- Be all that you can be. Never stop learning or wanting to be the best. Read books on personal development.
- Improve your attitude. Many times we sell ourselves short by thinking less of ourselves. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Learn to let go of past hurts. Change your thinking.
- Don’t take shortcuts. Do the hard stuff. Have discipline.
- Be a person of kindness, generosity, and humility.
- Learn to forgive and forgive and forgive.
- Have patience with yourself and others. We are all trying to figure this life out. Give each other some grace.
- Make excellence a priority in your life. 20 minutes a day, every day. Routines and habits are a great place to start. Did you know 10,000 hours at anything makes you an expert? Practice makes perfect. Keep at it.
- Hold others accountable. Sometimes you have to teach, sometimes you have to preach, but at all times, do it with love.
In what areas of your life do you struggle? Relationships? Health? Self-esteem and self-worth? Where can you improve?
You can strive to set higher standards. You can work to be a better friend, a better mom, dad, Christian. There is always room for improvement somewhere.
that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Ephesians 4:22-24
We should always be trying to improve our lives. We are made for Jesus, in his image. Our journey here on this earth is a short one. Strive for holiness. One day, we will see Him, if we are faithful. Don’t settle for anything less than the best He has to offer.
Put it in your planner. Schedule it in your day. Pray throughout your day.
I hope your summer is the best one yet! Expect the best. I appreciate you! Thanks for following along. –Barb
