raise the bar Archives - Debra Kasowski

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“If we don’t fight for what we ‘stand for’ with our passionate words and honest actions, do we really ‘stand’ for anything?”
―Tiffany Madison, Black and White

It is not until you start working with others that you realize that not everyone has the same work ethic as you do. Sometimes I hear people complaining and wishing that they had more in life yet they’re not willing to examine the obvious. It is easy to see what’s outside of us versus looking inside. What if you did something different? What would your life really look like? Remember you’re in charge – when did you hand over the keys or the reins on how you choose to live your life?

Are you settling for what you know you deserve? Deep down you might even question your worth the time. Don’t be fooled. You are worth much more than money could buy. You deserve everything that life has to offer. The trouble is too many people are waiting for someone to rescue them or hand them a Silver Platter instead of putting in the work required to get it. What gets you frustrated? What are you not willing to tolerate anymore? What is your repeating you that you wish you could change?

Don’t worry what others think – what do you think? People will pass their own fear passed you in hoping you won’t take this risk that they decided not to take. They are looking for the comfort that someone else won’t stretch like them. Will you be satisfied with your choice to not go after what you want?

No one’s going to hand it to you and the Prince Charming you’re looking for to rescue you IS actually you. It’s time for you to do something different in order to get different results. It is time to shift your mindset and raise your own bar of excellence. You are probably thinking – how do I raise the bar?

Expect more from yourself. It is so easy to pick out what others are doing wrong or how they are not working hard enough. It is important to focus on ourselves. When you develop and focus on mastering the different facets of your life, you can inspire and motivate others to do the same and theirs. Stop getting caught up in the drama of what everyone else is doing. When you think of what you’re not willing to tolerate any longer or where you are frustrated with yourself, you can start making a change. It all starts with self-awareness and really paying attention to the choices that you’re making and checking in to see if there aligning with your ultimate goal.

Think more about what you believe. Whatever you believe to be true is your reality. What happens if your thought is wrong? You may make the wrong choice or make choices that will sabotage your success. I’ve had some of my coaching clients share some of their big audacious dreams only to say, “I don’t know if it’s possible all.” It is only once we work through those self-limiting beliefs that they are amazed by what they are capable of accomplishing. I think many of us forget that we’re all works in progress. If you doubt your capability, shift your thinking to “I am in the progress of…” not only is it believable, it is happening.

Consider dropping the words “try” and “can’t” from your vocabulary. These words are disempowering. You can’t try to do something. You either do or you don’t – it is as simple as that. When you say you can’t you are saying that it’s not possible. It is often said before you even put in some effort but it may not have been 100% effort. You can do this. Focus on what you can do. Find yourself a mentor or someone who has been where you want to be or hire a coach that will help you shift your perspective and challenge some of the assumptions that you’re making.

Strategize more. People plan their vacations more than they plan to execute their goals. Take time to create a specific action plan to achieve what you know you want to achieve. You might say I don’t know what to put in the plan. Here are some questions to help you.

How do you want to show up in the world?
What qualities do you believe that you need to have in order to reach your goals?
What knowledge skills and abilities do you need to possess to get there?
To get to a new level requires strategic action, what actions do you know you need to take?

Map out the milestones and celebrate those successes along the way and evaluate whether you’re on or off track. There is no perfect time adjust your course as you go.

What is the one step you need to take that you know will be the game changer toward achieving your goals?

We would love to have you subscribed to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get us free MP3 download 10 Surefire Strategies to Power Up Your Productivity and Performance. I would love to hear about this podcast has impacted your life. E-mail me at Debra@DebraKasowski.com. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

Time: 08:37 min

Keywords: goals, achievement, raise the bar, expect more of yourself, examine your beliefs, self-doubt, action plan, strategy, achievement, execution, find a mentor, hire a coach

Do you ever wonder how you are measuring up to your potential? Do you think you’re taking enough action and stepping out of your comfort zone? Do you ever wonder what the secret to success is?

You’re not alone. Many people have studied success for years. I myself have been studying success for over 20 years.

What it really comes down to is a person’s daily habits, attitude, and expectations that they set for themselves. If you truly want to be noticed and stand out from the crowd you cannot settle for mediocrity. People start to get comfortable, complacent, and maybe even a little lazy when it comes to expanding and stepping into their potential. They talk a great talk but they’re not always willing to take the action required to sow the seeds that lead to success.

“The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good.” – Brian Tracy

Complacency creeps in when people stop expanding their social circles and networks, learning and growing in their area of expertise, stop appreciating others because they assume that you already know how they feel, and they put their health on the back burner. Over time, complacency can damage relationships, career growth, and your health. Isn’t it funny that many claim that these things are what matter most?

How are you measuring up?

beauty child at the blackboard

Is it time to raise your bar of excellence?

Successful people do not strive for mediocrity or being average. They are looking for ways to be a little bit better today than they were yesterday. They are not willing to settle and fit in to what others say or think they should be like. Successful people do great things through small acts with intention and purpose.

You can start raising your bar of excellence by expecting more of yourself and inspiring others around you by the way you live in the choices you make.

Here are some simple ways in which you can start taking small steps to make big shifts in your relationships, your career growth, and your health. Focus on what you say is most important to you and you’ll reap rewards of happiness, health, and prosperity.

Read one nonfiction book per month. If you can read more books, fantastic! Increase your knowledge in your expertise or another area of interest. Commit to taking action on something learned in the book.

Connect with like-minded individuals. Join meet up groups, associations, and organization in which people have a common interest and also push you out of your comfort zone into dreaming and thinking bigger. You probably have heard the phrase that you are the average of the five people you hang out with the most. Surround yourself with people that you can learn from and who inspire you.

Develop your people skills. Many people take developing their people skills for granted. As you climb the ladder of success, the more people will not just focus on your skills and abilities and how smart you are, the more they look at how you interact with others. Learn to become a better communicator. Listen to the people you interact with. Put aside distractions and pay attention to the subtle tones and movements and body language. Always find a way to leave a conversation in which people are better because of your presence.

Become an action taker. Do not become known as someone who just talks about what they say they want to achieve. The most memorable people are the ones who take inspired action. People often hesitate because of the fear of failure; however, if you evaluate your probability of success you can start taking calculated risks. Each small success will build momentum. Success is short-lived by complacency. You will want to continue to challenge yourself and raise your bar of excellence.

“If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.”-Thomas Edison

Hire a coach or find a mentor. You can accelerate your success by being coached through your challenges or being mentored by someone who has been where you want to be. Learn from these individuals and ask powerful questions to help you become more knowledgeable and resourceful.

Successful people do not try to do everything themselves nor do they try to take all the credit. They work with teams and incredible individuals who make them shine and raise their bar of excellence. When you take time to make these changes in yourself and look after your health, you will become an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. When you start taking one action each day, you will be taking 365 more actions than many people who are wishing for things to happen. Instead of wishing, you will be making things happen. Everyone has the same amount of time in their day but the difference maker is someone who takes action.

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. She is a contributing writer for Diversity Magazine and Fabulous at 50 magazine. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. www.debrakasowski.com

EPISODE 67 – Raise the Bar of Excellence

Above Mediocrity: How are You Measuring Up to Your Potential?