Stand on your Standards! (Student Edition)

What is a standard? Here is one of the Merriam-Webster definitions of "standard."

Standard "noun"

3a - something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example

3b - a level or quality, achievement, performance, etc., that is considered acceptable or desirable.

Standards are like stairs. They take you higher.

Looking at these definitions, do you agree? Do you disagree? What would you change? Overall I agree with them but I am going to combine the definitions into one statement - "Something and/or a level (quality, achievement, performance) that is considered acceptable or desirable as a model or example."

So why are we talking about standards right now? Because it is the summer and this is when we decide our standards for the next season, or school year. This is the time we re-evaluate the last year and decide what worked and what didn't. What we want to continue doing, and what we never want to do again.

As a student we can decide what our indivdiual standards are. I will be on time to everything. I will be attentive during rehearsal. I will give my best effort all the time. I will encourage the people around me. I will practice 15 minutes everyday. I will play that piece of music I have been working on for 2 year now. I will come to rehearsal prepared so I can be a great example for everyone else.

Notice how every one of these statements starts with "I will." Again, we are trying to establish new standards which are "something and/or a level that is considered acceptable or desireable." You don't achieve a new level by only doing something when you want to do it. I have started going to the gym because I want to make my health a greater priority. My statement is I will go to the gym every other day. I can go more often if I want, or if my schedule allows, but I will make time to go every other day.

Again, standards are about raising the level you are at so they need to be things you will do. Once we start doing these things, the trick is to continue doing them. This is the hard part where I struggle. I have gone to the gym hardcore a couple of times in my life. I have even lost weight in those times. However, I get busy with drum corps or band or school and then I let them go. I lose focus on my standards and then lower them.

This is where having standards that are important to you matters. In the past, I "wanted" to be healthier but it wasn't important to me. However, it is important to me now because I want to be healthier for more than just me. I want to be healthier for my future. Dementia runs in my family, and has hit at an earlier age. So I want to do everything I can to avoid that.

So what makes your standards important to you? That is what will keep you showing up on days you don't want to. Remember you set standards for yourself to raise your personal level and to be a great example to younger members.

What standard are you setting for yourself? If you haven't thought about it yet, you still have time. However it is something you need to make important, and achievable, for yourself. Your best season and/or year, starts now...NOT after it has already started. So set your standards and figure out what makes them important to you. Let's crush this next year together!