So often we defer to someone outside of ourselves to set the bar that dictates what’s expected of us.

It might be a stretch at first to meet that expectation, but after a while, it becomes rote, the norm, business as usual.

At this point, we could choose to raise the bar for ourselves, to go above and beyond what’s expected of us by our boss, our peers, our society.

But how far do we raise it? What’s the benefit? We’re already doing enough, aren’t we?

Besides, raising the bar for ourselves has the unwanted (by some) side effect of subtly raising the bar for those around us, who may now feel inadequate. That’s a surefire recipe to breed resentment.

Raising the bar, however,–even only for ourselves–is how progress is made. Raising the bar disrupts the status quo and leads to change, innovation, and forward progress.

If there is a change we want to see in the world, we can start is by raising the bar in regard to how we approach the issue personally.

Chances are, when we hold ourselves to a higher standard, others will begin to as well until all of a sudden there’s a higher standard for everyone, and the change is made.

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