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Yes, setting standards for ourselves to measure up to. And the measures we use to judge others.
I remember, from a very early age, I had a tendency to want to do things just right. No half-measures. As I grew older, I became flexible, but not so much that I slacked off from the standards I set myself.
At school, standing first in class did not matter to me. All that mattered was doing my best. I removed the phrase “I’ll try to” from my vocabulary especially in relation to commitments. I either would or wouldn’t. There was no in-between.
My Mom often said, “Don’t set standards that are too high. There’s no need to be perfect. If you have to measure your success, look at the number of live you’ve touched.”
I’ve learned that I must choose my yardsticks carefully or they’ll come back to haunt me – much like a boomerang.
More than anything, that measuring stick must be our own choice. Not what others expect of us. Not our parents’ ideas, not our colleagues’ at work and definitely not Facebook. No need to keep up with the Joneses.
No need to wonder what others will think if you follow your heart.
No need to feel the pressure.
When I switched from a corporate job to becoming a stay at home Mom, I faced a lot of flak from family, friends and “well-wishers” They thought I was nuts to give up a flourishing career and big income to look after my chronically sick Mom and growing son. I have to admit there were days when I felt a twinge of regret, especially during that phase when we were desperately trying to stretch our budget as much as we could. Even though we had to scrimp, I somehow knew I was doing the right thing. I felt peace. I knew with certainly that I did not need someone else’s measure of what was right for me.
When I decide what’s right for me, I put all I have into it to make it work. If I go by someone else’s yardstick, I ‘ll probably never measure up.
So how do I build my yardsticks?
By focusing on:
- my strengths
- my values and integrity
- my passions
- my realities
- my wants
- my purpose in life
- my goals
Ultimately, Life is a result of the decisions we make. Each day, we receive opportunities to make choices for ourselves, choices that will lead to productivity or waste our time. Choices that will help us measure our success.
My Mom always emphasized on the importance of humility vis-à-vis success. The qualities of humble people are worth emulating. Not only are they high on self-awareness – they have high self-esteem. They are comfortable in their own skin. They are not self-deprecating. They regard others with esteem. They do not feel the need to lie.
Then there’s attitude. When we believe that everyone can teach us something, our opportunity to learn is unlimited.
Choose Your Yardstick Carefully. What we measure is more important than how we measure it.
So. How will you measure your life?
How will you build your yardsticks?
Day 25 of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge
Y is for Yardsticks.
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Namaste!
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