Raise Your Standard A Battle Cry For Success

by justjillin | on January 2, 2013

While reading last night from Tony Robbin’s book Awaken the Giant Within one of the first things he talks about to initiate change in your life is to raise your standard. That got me to thinking about what a standard is.

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines standard as:

1: a conspicuous object (as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an emblem

 

2a: a long narrow tapering flag that is personal to an individual or corporation and bears heraldic devicesb: the personal flag of the head of a state or of a member of a royal familyc: an organization flag carried by a mounted or motorized military unitd:banner 1

 

3: something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example :criterion <quite slow by today’s standards>

 

4: something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality

 

5a: the fineness and legally fixed weight of the metal used in coinsb: the basis of value in a monetary system <the gold standard>

 

6: a structure built for or serving as a base or support

7a: a shrub or herb grown with an erect main stem so that it forms or resembles a treeb: a fruit tree grafted on a stock that does not induce dwarfing

 

8a: the large odd upper petal of a papilionaceous flower (as of the pea)b: one of the three inner usually erect and incurved petals of an iris

9: a musical composition (as a song) that has become a part of the standard repertoire— stan·dard·lessadjective

We are going to look at the first and second way of defining a standard because I feel that that is what is meant by the term raise your standard.  A standard is a banner or a crest that defines a Nation, a community, a family, or an individual.  The Stars and Stripes is a standard that defines the United States, or at least it used to. Personally I like the “Don’t Tread On Me” Standard.

 

 

If we are to raise our standard, we must first consider what our standard embodies. The crests of old defined the character and personal qualities of the barer. In order to raise our standard we must first define it.

What do you consider important in your life? Where do you draw the line? Are you willing to settle for someone else’s standard or will you create and defend your own? A standard or crest is a battle tool. It is for identification and notification. That is the whole reason we fly flags in countries, on ships, sometimes even in groups. In Japan, while I was growing up, we the school kids would go on field trips (or even groups of adults) there would be flags (or standards) that groups would rally around as a way of staying together.

 

Once you define your standard you can raise it. The act of raising your standard is one of notification. It allows others to see it and to either attack (which does often happen) or rally with you and press forward to achieve your common goal.

My challenge for you today is to go – define your standard. Maybe even create a real one. Consider the elements that will be incorporated into your flag and what they mean. Then raise your standard for all the world to see. It is a great way to start a conversation, make a difference, and even bring together a community.

Are you ready to join the community of bloggers sharing your thoughts, ideas, passions with others? Watch this video (David Wood is a non conformist who breaks all of the rules of

propriety, that is his standard, he is successful, so try not to be offended by his personality or language patterns, just study him) and join in when the opportunity presents itself.

Raise your standard and make some magic happen in your life,