Why You Need To Raise Your Standards Instead Of Ambitions

Fix Your Standards First

Most people think the key to success is aiming higher.

They set bigger goals, dream about a better life, and hope someday things will change.

But here’s the truth: your life doesn’t rise to meet your ambitions, it sinks to the level of your standards.

Look around. The money in your bank account, the car you drive, the place you live, it’s all because of what you’re willing to accept.

Your standards are like an invisible thermostat. They control everything.

If you’re “okay” with making $50,000 a year, guess what?

That’s exactly what you’ll make. If you’re “fine” living paycheck to paycheck, you’ll stay stuck there.

Ambition might get you excited for a day or two, but it’s your standards that decide what you actually do.

So, if you want to change your life, stop raising your ambitions. Raise your standards. Here’s how I did it and how you can too.

Your Standards Decide Your Actions

Think about this: what would happen if your rent doubled tomorrow?

Would you sit there and let life crush you?

Or would you find a way to make more money, no matter what it took?

Most people would figure it out.

They’d hustle harder, pick up extra work, or create new opportunities. Not because they suddenly became more ambitious, but because their standards changed.

Now ask yourself this: why aren’t you working that hard right now?

The answer is simple. Your current standards don’t require it. You’re comfortable, even if you complain about wanting more.

It’s like flipping a switch in your brain. Suddenly, what used to be “optional” becomes mandatory.

Here’s the thing, when your back is against the wall, you’ll do what it takes. But why wait for a crisis to raise your standards?

Start now. Imagine your rent is already doubled. Picture yourself with responsibilities so big they force you to level up. Then act accordingly.

Raise Your Standards, Force Your Results

Here’s the secret: your mind adjusts to what it believes it must do.

When you convince yourself that you HAVE to level up, whether it’s making more money, getting in better shape, or improving your relationships, you’ll force yourself to meet that standard.

Tell yourself, “I can’t live like this anymore.” Then back it up with action.

Set a higher bar for yourself. Start small if you need to, but make it something that feels slightly uncomfortable.

Here’s how to get started:

• Double your financial expectations: Act like you have bills twice as big as you do right now. This will push you to find ways to earn more, whether it’s through side hustles, promotions, or new business opportunities.
  

• Commit to non-negotiable habits: Pick one thing you know will improve your life and make it a daily habit. Whether it’s 30 minutes of exercise or reading a book a month, consistency builds momentum.
  

• Upgrade your environment: Your surroundings influence your standards. Clean your space, surround yourself with people who challenge you, and cut out the distractions holding you back.

The goal is to make your old “acceptable” feel unacceptable. When your standards rise, so do your results.

Why Ambition Alone Isn’t Enough

There’s nothing wrong with ambition, but it’s useless without standards to back it up.

How many people do you know who talk about wanting to be rich, fit, or successful... but never do anything about it?

That’s what happens when ambition drives the bus, but standards are sitting in the back seat.

Ambition is a wish. Standards are the rules you live by.

Ambition gives you something to aim for, but standards dictate whether you’ll take the steps to actually reach it.

For example, if someone says, “I want to be financially free,” but their standard is to spend every penny they earn, they’re going nowhere.

Ambition alone isn’t enough, it has to be paired with action grounded in higher standards.

If you’re serious about changing your life, stop dreaming about what you want. Start demanding more from yourself every single day.

Your standards should make people around you uncomfortable. That’s how you know they’re high enough.

The world doesn’t reward ambition, it rewards discipline and execution.

How to Set New Standards and Stick to Them

Raising your standards doesn’t mean overhauling your life overnight. It starts with small, daily shifts that compound over time.

Here’s a step-by-step framework:

1. Identify one area of your life where you’re settling: Be honest. Maybe it’s your income, your fitness, or your relationships. Choose the area where you know you’re capable of more.
   

2. Set a non-negotiable baseline: Decide what you’re no longer willing to tolerate. For example, commit to never letting your bank account drop below a certain amount or hitting the gym three times a week no matter what.
   

3. Track your actions daily: Keep yourself accountable. Write down what you’re doing each day to meet your new standard. Seeing progress in black and white keeps you motivated.
   

4. Eliminate excuses: Every time you make an excuse, you lower your standards. Identify your usual excuses and create a plan to overcome them before they even come up.
   

5. Reward yourself for progress: When you hit milestones, celebrate them. This reinforces the habit and makes sticking to higher standards feel rewarding.

If you’ve been tolerating mediocrity, these steps will push you into a new level of focus and action.

Where Else Can Your Standards Improve Your Life?

Let’s make this real.

• Fitness: If your current standard is skipping workouts or squeezing in the occasional session, it’s time to level up. Commit to hitting the gym at least four times a week. No excuses. Set a specific goal, like building strength, improving endurance, or shedding fat, and track your progress weekly.
  

• Income: If you’re earning $50,000 a year and it’s not cutting it, don’t just wish for more, raise your standard to $75,000 or higher. Start by mapping out what it takes to get there. Ask for a raise backed by measurable results. Research and apply for better-paying jobs, or explore side hustles that align with your skills and interests.
  

• Relationships: If you’re surrounded by negativity, raise your standard to only allow people in your life who uplift and challenge you. Take a hard look at your circle, friends, coworkers, even family. Who supports your growth? Who drags you down? Start setting boundaries with the energy-drainers and prioritize time with those who push you to be better.

The point is, your standards don’t just change your mindset, they change your actions. And those actions create the results you’ve been dreaming about.

The BMM Takeaway

Stop tolerating average. Stop settling for less than you deserve.

Your current life is just a reflection of what you’ve been willing to accept.

Imagine what would happen if you raised your standards so high that “average” wasn’t even an option anymore.

The secret isn’t more ambition. It’s becoming the type of person who refuses to settle.

Raise your standards, and watch how quickly everything else in your life levels up.