Raising Your Operating Standard: How to Unlock Peak Performance
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The other day, while grabbing coffee, someone questioned why I’m always working on multiple books, recording podcasts, speaking, and training for races. He thought I was “doing too much.” But here’s a truth I’ve come to realize:
Those who aren’t doing enough will always tell you that you’re doing too much.
If you’re focused on success, you’ve likely encountered this criticism. People’s discomfort with your ambition often says more about their limits than yours. But your job isn’t to shrink—you need to raise your operating standard and shine even brighter.
What Is Your Operating Standard?
Your operating standard isn’t just about goals—it’s how you function day to day. It's how you treat people, handle challenges, and pursue opportunities. While most people drift through life, high performers live with purpose, setting personal expectations that outshine anything the world expects from them.
Ask yourself:
- How do you treat people under stress?
- How do you react to rejection or setbacks?
- How committed are you to keeping your word, even when it’s hard?
These everyday decisions shape your future more than grand ambitions ever will.
How to Raise Your Operating Standard
1. Think Two Levels Up
Most people aim for the next step in their career, but why stop there? Look two levels up—what does your boss’s boss do? How do top performers in your field operate? Start embodying that level of performance now, so when the opportunity comes, you’ll be ready.
Example:
When I played football at Baylor University, adjusting to college-level competition was tough. The speed of the game was far beyond high school, but learning to operate at that higher standard prepared me for game day.
2. Make Integrity Non-Negotiable
Your word is your bond. If you commit to something—whether it’s hitting a workout, meeting a deadline, or supporting a friend—follow through. Integrity isn’t a skill; it’s a choice that becomes a habit.
3. Create a New Baseline
Your standard isn’t a goal—it’s your default. It’s how you operate on your worst days, not just when you’re feeling motivated.
Action Tip:
Identify one area of life where your current standard isn’t serving you. Decide on a new, higher baseline and commit to never falling below it. For example:
- If you’re late often, commit to showing up 10 minutes early.
- If you procrastinate, set a rule that you’ll start every project within 24 hours of receiving it.
Success Becomes Inevitable
When you raise your operating standard, you no longer chase success—it chases you. Consistency, integrity, and action will set you apart in a world where many fall short.
You don’t need to declare yourself a high performer—just be one.
If you want to take your team, event, or conference to the next level, book Baylor to speak. For more mindset motivation, check out his 10-minute-a-day podcast, Shark Theory. Purchase Baylor's self-development books here. Mindset Matters: Let’s make yours unstoppable.