Others can set standards and expectations for you. It is not up to you to control their views of your activity. Others can make you feel like you have to fit their standards, but you ultimately decide whether to accept their indirect control. The important standards are the ones you set yourself to maintain, regardless of how any other person acts. Michael Jordan said that he set playing standards for himself that were harder than expectations anyone else put on him. Here I discuss this concept:
Most People Do The Bare Minimum
If you notice the majority of creations in most categories, most individuals are trying to get by on the bare minimum, or are working at the lowest common denominator of material. While this can be fine to keep going at a certain pace, it is not enough to be remarkable at any level. This lack of expression means that you have a huge opportunity to shine in a group of plain individuals. If you go beyond the average, and set a high standard for yourself, for example by creating a new piece of music once a week, or calling out a new customer once a day, you will get rewards that no one else is able to get.
You Can Keep Your Standards Private
There is no need to publicly tell people the new standards you have set for your actions. If they become consistently shown through your activities, people will quickly take notice, and act as though you have a special gift, ignoring your own self-discipline. Even when compliments come your way at this point, they will not derail you, because you will know the root of your success, and will maintain focus on it instead of absorbing too much positive criticism. It is better to have others talking about your skills than to talk about them yourself.
You Ultimately Answer To Yourself
There is only person that is with you all the time and that is yourself. Others will come and go, but it is not the case that they will be around at all times to guide you or keep you in line with expectations. You will keep up consistency only if the expectations are created from your thoughts and directed at your actions, irregardless of others and their views. When everyone is gone and you are back at your desk or place of residence, the main thoughts in your mind will be whether you kept up with your own plans or expectations. It isn’t your place to think about how others view you until you can maintain a system of thoughts where you have yourself in line with expectations you support.