When high standards are taken too far, they become counterproductive. Rooted in disappointment that things and people are not as they "should" be, some level of negativity, stress, and frustration follows. "Should" is not a pragmatic starting point for whatever you hope to achieve, as it simply denies the current state of things. Make it a point to catch your should-thinking right away, and instead work to accept what is. Use that, and not "what should be," to form your vision, strategy, and tactics, and you significantly increase the likelihood of a great outcome.
Note: Over 100 of these tips appear in my new book: Beyond Effective: Practices in Self-aware Leadership. Click on the image of the book at the top of this blog for more information.
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