"Exceeding the Standard IS the Standard"

There are many quotes about having high standards for yourself but this one can be applied directly to ANY student, recruit, candidate, or active member of any of the tactical professions to be better than average – be an asset – and actually be someone that trains like your buddy’s life depends on it. It does.

I can only speak for how I have seen "exceeding the standard IS the standard" work for myself and my students. Bringing your A-Game to your preparation then eventually your testing / selection will set you apart many ways:

• You will never think about quitting when you think about winning. Exceeding the standard puts you in good company with those who win events in training.
• Setting the highest of standards requires significant preparation, but during that journey is where the real magic occurs - you get stronger, faster, and more mentally tough.
• Your motivation builds habits. Your habits build discipline. Your discipline helps you get to where you are going when you don't feel like moving. Your discipline allows you to find the fuel when the tank is empty.

• Your motivation evolving into discipline and mental toughness will never occur IF you do not make "exceeding the standards IS the standard" as your mantra. It may not be that exact quote, but you need to set high standards for yourself especially with your fitness when one day your fitness could be the difference between life or death for you, your partner, or someone you are trying to help. 

The big idea here is that sure, minimum physical standards exist for a reason, but so do Cs and Ds in academics. These grades are passing and acceptable, but just average. If you want to stand out in any profession, being "just average" is not the way to go. This is particularly true for the tactical professions and especially special ops preparation, testing, and training. When only 20-25% of those who start actually finish, there is no room for average. .

Here's how this applies to us and get TO and THROUGH Training:

• This quote will work for you only IF you make it work, by doing the work. You can read all the motivational quotes you want but until you put in the work, nothing will work unless YOU do. Once you realize this, you now have a high mark to reach. There will be work required no matter what the goal is. If you are below the minimum standards currently, keep striving for the standard then don't stop there. Make the maximum your standard - then build yourself to be able to meet them - even on a bad day.

So, let's put this into action:

Look at your goal objectively and start making sub-goals to achieve the standard first. Then set bigger goals to exceed the standard once you are making progress. But, you need to get on a program, seek guidance, look for mentors to help you if you do not know what you are doing. Once you have the mindset right, now you have to find smart ways to reach your goals within a reasonable timeline.

One more thing...

If you're one of those recruits, candidates, and students seeking to serve in any of the tactical professions whose #1 desire is to turbocharge this process, take a minute to Assess Yourself and Don't Set a Timeline - Set a Performance Starting Line of where you need to be compared to where you are now in relation to the standards. at the following three articles:

Getting TO and THROUGH the training so you understand this journey requires two phases of training.

Assess Yourself and see how you match up with recent spec ops level candidates who succeeded their operational goals. 

Set a Performance Starting Line - Not an Arbitrary Timeline that may leave you under prepared for your journey. 

This makes it easy for you to crush the PT Test and get through basic training, boot camp, police / fire academies, or selection without even thinking about quitting.