Establishing Your Platinum Standard
Now that you’ve identified your Burning Platform, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to change to. Businesses that have vision statements to guide their decisions are much more focused, which increases their efficiency. In this Milestone, create your vision statement, or as I like to call it, your Platinum Standard. A Platinum Standard is characterized by the following qualities:
- Provides us with a crystal-clear understanding of our purpose
- Requires unwavering commitment by the “leader”—in this case, YOU!
- Integrates all facets of life
- Considers our value system (core values, beliefs, guiding principles).
There are a few other important characteristics to keep in mind while building your Platinum Standard. For instance, you want to make sure your focus is multidimensional rather than narrowly focused. In other words, the more general your Platinum Standard, the better. In addition, make your Platinum Standard qualitative rather than quantitative by using descriptive words, and include not only what you do for yourself, but things you do for those whose lives intersect with yours as well. Finally, be sure to make your Platinum Standard motivating, positive and enduring. Here’s an example:
“To be a happy and healthy person. To lead my life with utmost integrity and passion. To be patient with everyone (including myself). To recognize people’s strengths and talents. To achieve balance between my personal and professional life. To live life in the present, here and now.”
Still having trouble developing your Platinum Standard? Try digging deeper with this Milestone’s activity, The Big Dig!
