Raise the Bar. Get to Work.
Raise the Bar, Get to Work: Why This is My Motto
When you don't know what to do, that's exactly when you need to raise the bar. It’s a guiding principle I’ve leaned on in moments of uncertainty—whether it's been with a client, a business opportunity, or a personal situation. “Raise the bar, get to work” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a call to action, a way to move forward even when the path isn’t clear.
Raising the Bar in Uncertain Times
We’ve all been there. That moment of indecision when you're not sure what the next step should be. It’s tempting to freeze or delay, but that's exactly when the bar needs to be raised. It’s in these moments of doubt and confusion that we must quiet the noise, look beyond the immediate chaos, and focus on the end goal. Why? Because if we’d raised the bar earlier, we wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place (yes, a brutal truth that cannot be avoided).
Raising the bar isn’t about making a grand gesture or drawing attention. It’s about the quiet, often invisible actions that set a new standard. It’s choosing to have the tough conversations when it’s easier to avoid them, making the difficult decisions that others shy away from, and acting with the end result firmly in mind. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
The Work Begins with Identifying the Problem
Once you’ve committed to raising the bar, the real work begins. It’s about being honest with yourself and others, identifying the root of the problem, and taking decisive action.
Consider the hospital that chooses to sidestep a social media crisis instead of addressing it head-on, or the organization that delays a reduction in force (RIF) while reserves dwindle, only to offer minimal severance and stumble through a disorganized rebuild. Or think about the business relationship that doesn’t feel right but continues out of habit rather than strategy. These are the moments when raising the bar is most needed—swiftly, smartly, and quietly.
Raising the bar is about setting a higher standard when it’s most difficult. It’s about doing what needs to be done, not what’s comfortable. It’s taking control when things feel out of control. It’s recognizing that sometimes the hardest problems require the simplest solutions, and those solutions often start with doing the work.
The Quiet Counsel of Inner Circles
When faced with complex issues, it’s natural to want to vent, to talk it out. But there’s a fine line between seeking counsel and getting stuck in the muck of drama. Talking for hours, replaying scenarios, or monologuing in a colleague’s office for more than seven minutes isn’t problem-solving—it’s procrastination.
Raising the bar means keeping your counsel tight. It’s about the quiet, pragmatic advice from your trusted circle, those who will help you see through the fog and get to the heart of the issue. It’s about having the discipline to act rather than react.
Raising the Bar, Doing the Work
When you raise the bar, you commit to taking ownership, to setting and meeting higher expectations. It’s about looking at what’s in front of you, even when it’s messy, and asking, “What does a better, calmer, and even solution look like?” And then, without hesitation, getting to work.
So, next time you find yourself unsure, remember: This is the moment to raise the bar. Not with grand statements or public displays, but through focused, decisive action. It’s about addressing problems head-on and taking responsibility for the outcome. It’s about doing the work, because that’s what it means to truly raise the bar.
And when you do, you’ll find that the path forward becomes clearer, the challenges less daunting, and the results far more rewarding. Because raising the bar is not just about the actions you take; it’s about who you become in the process.
