Natural law of the universe: Teach people the correct principles, and they will govern themselves.
The EBA program is built upon certain eternal principles that when applied over time, generate permanent success. And they all share one common thread – they’re non-negotiable.
These principles are neither rocket science nor some kind of methodology and you won’t need Einstein to be your coach. Principles that are universally applicable, but sadly, principles which many of us have either decided to conveniently ignore, blatantly deny, or have never really tried to fully understand. Tragically, and as a result, devastating pain and destruction become the likely outcome of our ignorance or refusal to believe.
One of our five EBA principles to practice is – Commit to a Standard of Excellence
The difference in most people’s lives is simply a difference in their standards. A Marines Corps General was once quoted as saying; “Most people’s lives are a direct reflection of the expectations of their peer group.” Great observation, and sadly, applicable to so many people in our broken world! Unsurprisingly, in modern society, standards are being lowered where it’s acceptable to overindulge, lack integrity, or take the easy way out. So, may be this is the time for you to raise the bar and be uncommon. To live by a higher standard and demonstrate uncommon righteousness and attitude.
What would your life look like if you were courageous enough to raise your standards, shift from a fixed to growth mindset, and become the person you have the potential to be while inspiring others to do the same?
Pay attention to your environment otherwise society will squeeze you into its mold. Sadly, we tend to act like everyone else, to be an ‘approval-seeking machine.’ But it doesn’t make much sense to think and act like 98 per cent of other people when they are sleepwalking into oblivion. Most people look at someone who is digitally hyper-connected and living life in the fast lane, and they start doing the same thing. May be they should stop to ask themselves, “Do any of these people know what they are doing? Is there a better way or a more worthy alternative?” Don’t lower your standards or even worse, compromise yourself, just to feel accepted in society. Don’t make the mistake of surrounding yourself with people who feed a dysfunction you are trying to correct. Don’t accept mediocrity as a way of life.
Don’t listen to mainstream media and their product of doubt and fear. Accept the fact that progress requires challenging yourself and developing a standard of excellence…not settling!
Your only obligation in life is to be true to yourself! Paying the price of success with yourself first is what distinguishes a happy, healthy, and self-fulfilled person from their mediocre counterpart.
It takes courage to be different. It takes discipline. It’s sometimes uncomfortable. There’s constant pressure trying to make you conform to society. Don’t get distracted by the naysayers or people trying to discredit you. Withstand the criticism for being different and pledge to living uncommon.
Remember, it doesn’t take much effort to follow the crowd and do what everyone else is doing – a dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live one to swim upstream!
So, I ask these questions respectfully. Are you courageous enough to raise your standards? Are you mature enough to stop being a prisoner of other people’s thinking? Are you courageous enough to willfully serve the cause of greater human and planetary flourishing?
Your ultimate responsibility as a human being is to become a “difference maker” by setting new and empowering standards for yourself, your family, your friends, and your community.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Serve others. And do what is right, not what is easy!