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Setting Your Standards
Now that you've read about each standard and have a basic
understanding of each, it's time to set your own standard.
Remember that you don’t need to commit
to these standards yet. They is not New Years resolutions. Simply write down a description
of where you’d like to be or what you wish you would do. Also remember that
you are free to adjust your standard at any time.
Congratulations!!! You are taking your First Giant Step
Forward toward increased balance and satisfaction in your life!
Read over the sample standards for each standard
below, then record yours (on a sheet of paper or on the computer - later you can copy them
into the form in Step Three to print out and use).
Remember that even tiny steps toward balance have
long lasting effects because your awareness and comfort zone will expand simply by paying
some attention. Feel free to change and fine tune your Personal Standards at any time.
You may want to discuss your Personal Standard with a friend or
someone else reading this page.
Sample Physical
Standards |
I want to run three miles three times per
week. I can walk as much of it as I feel like. Do at least 25 pushups and 50 crunches
every other day.
Walk one mile per day and stop eating when I’m full.
Get to sleep by one a.m. Never watch television past midnight.
Buy fresh vegetables and fruit and eat some every day.
I made a goal to jog for 30 minutes a day, so rather than score my
performance 1-3, I’ll write in how many minutes I actually ran.
Diet: eat some fruits and vegetables every day, even if it’s
only one bite.
Exercise: park at the far end of the parking lot at work and take the stairs instead of
the elevator. Mow the lawn weekly.
Other: maximum one drink with the guys Friday afternoon. Drive within five miles per hour
of the speed limit. Leave home earlier to not be in a hurry.
Work out hard twice per week. Get bulging muscles by August. Make
sure I’m eating enough protein. Be able to run five miles without stopping. Lose all
of my spare tire, get tan, and become the hottest guy in the gym.
Notice that most of these examples aren’t
ultra-high goals. Your goals will be most effective if they cause you to stretch a little
to reach them but aren’t impossibly out of reach. Write your Personal Standards
however you like.
- Read a book every month. Get a library card and be ready to talk to
people I see there often.
- Have deeper discussions with my friends. Find out what they’re
really interested in and discuss those things more. Discover talents and interests we can
pursue together. If they really don’t want to, I’ll find some friends more like
that.
- Find a new way to think about my social skills. Quit worrying so
much about being good enough and just find the people who will accept me for who I am and
who I choose to become.
- Go back to school this fall. Take at least three classes per year
until I graduate. Start reading (anything) on Sunday afternoons to prepare my mind.
- Learn Spanish! Buy a book and study at least a chapter per week.
Find opportunities to try out a few phrases.
- Go to a counselor once or twice, just to see if it might be a good
experience.
| Sample
Emotional Standards |
Spend time talking
Talk about things we’re interested in and goals, not just
fluff.
Read more instead of watching tv except for three favorite shows
per week.
Get involved in a service organization at least once per month.
Pray for help to become more independent and stronger.
| Sample Spiritual Standard Definitions |
Pray or something
Spend time outside relaxing
Do a good deed daily
Ponder some principle like eternity, the law of the
harvest, etc.
Back to the
Four Standards
Back to 1-2-3 Balance! home |
