A month or so ago, we discovered that there was a sewer line that had sunken under our apartment. The building owners needed to have plumbers dig up about 20 feet of the ground under our floor. They delivered the news to me and said that our living room and dining room would need to be emptied in order for this to happen. They went on to say they'd be happy to put us up somewhere while the work happened, and they'd rent a Pod for us to put our furniture and belongings in.
I said, "A Pod where WE can put our stuff?"
"Yes...we'll put it outside and you can move your belongings in to it."
"I don't actually plan on lifting a finger. I'd appreciate your hiring movers to pack, then move, our stuff to the Pod."
Silence.
"I don't think we can do that."
"Sure you can. You need this problem handled, it's not mine to handle, and so I know that you'll understand why I'm unwilling to take time away from my work and life to pack things and do the physical labor of moving them, right?"
Long story short, the movers came this morning to pack, then move, our stuff to the Pod. They'll be back a week from today to move our stuff back in, then unpack us.
There was a time when my standards were so low that I wouldn't have pushed back--sure that what I wanted wasn't important enough to carry any weight in a conversation of this sort. Back in the day, I would have packed my stuff and moved it myself--out, then back in. But learning about standards through business has allowed me to also make huge adjustments to my standards for how my life runs. And with regard to this bit of life drama, not only did they provide movers, but instead of being in a hotel, I'm in a lovely corporate apartment with great amenities, and am having them take care of a bunch of other things I want handled in my apartment. And why? Because I have high standards and wasn't afraid to say what I wanted and needed in order for them to get me on board for the repairs.
Bit O’Moxie: I learned about standards in my work, and it's significantly changed the rest of my life.
Regardless of whether you learn about raising your standards in your life or your work, everything else will improve as a result. It can't help but happen. So, if you find it easier to create higher standards in your VA practice, do it there. Consider it your playground. And know that as you see things working better there, your life will work better. If it's easier to do it in your personal life, do it there and things in your business will improve. Look around at what you're tolerating and change it. Then go from there to see magic begin to happen.
Just always remember that you are due every possible good thing, and let that guide you in the creation of your standards in all areas of your life and work.
Stace~ Thanks so much for this! The last few weeks have been very hard on the personal side. I too have noticed that since going through the VTP and realizing the strength it has given me, I don't act like the doormat I used to be. Twice, I've made myself and my DH proud by stopping a verbal tirade from my dad and standing up for myself. Thank you for giving me the tools to say "Stop right there, you are incorrect..." Because before going through the VTP and setting up my business, I never would have had the Moxie to do that. Thank you so much!
Rach
Posted by: Rachael | April 23, 2008 at 12:59 PM