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We all have standards in life.  We consider some of these standards breakable, and others are unbreakable.  I have found that when we are integrating new habits in our lives it helps if set an unbreakable standard for ourselves.

When we set up unbreakable standards we reduce our chances of failure.  Let’s take a new exercise program for example.  If we set an unbreakable standard of working out at least 3 times per week - What we are really saying is that we will work out 3 times per week regardless of what happens. 

Imagine that two weeks after you start your exercise program you get a cold, without an unbreakable standard you may be tempted to skip your workout this week.  However, with an unbreakable standard you have committed yourself to workout regardless of how you feel.  You would workout anyway!

When our standards are breakable, and we allow excuses to stop us doing what we have committed to - we open the door to futher excuses! Each time we allow ourselves to use an excuse (regardless of the reason) we weaken our ability to stick to our commitments.

We will have to overcome obstacles when attempting to acheive any goal. It is almost always better to endure the temporary discomfort of sticking to your standard, rather than breaking it. 

I admit that it is difficult to stick to an unbreakable standard.  However, the results can be life changing! If you really want to improve your achievement rate; learning to set up and stick to unbreakable standards will drastically improve your results. 

Instead of setting unbreakable standard, most people will ask themselves if the excuse they have is a good enough excuse to break their commitment.  Another way to look at this is to say “Is this excuse a good enough reason for me to risk failure?” or “Is this a good enough excuse to justify my quitting?”

Many people will read this article and think that the idea of an unbreakable is too extreme. I admit that it is extreme.  However, sometimes this kind of extreme is beneficial.  Your success rate is your responsibility.  Creating your own unbreakable standards will help you drastically increase your success rate.