Of all the people in your life, who holds you to the highest standard? Is it a friend, your significant other, your kids, your parents, a business partner, your employees, your clients?

Ideally, it’s yourself.

Each new day, we should want to be better than we were yesterday, right? Although you probably feel a lot of pressure from outside sources, the real pressure to perform should come from within. The reality however, is that we often feel this pressure coming from the people and the world around us.

Regardless of where this pressure to perform comes from, this pressure you experience is a privilege.

How is pressure a “privilege”?

Whether this pressure comes from yourself or someone else, it exists because someone has identified your potential and has high expectations for who you are and what you do.It means they have a high opinion of you and what you’re capable of achieving.In reality, this pressure is about meeting and exceeding expectations.

Although this pressure might create some anxiety and stress at times, consider it an honor that other people see what you’re capable of and hold you accountable for reaching it. As the saying goes, with great ability comes great responsibility. Ultimately, it’s a privilege to feel the pressure that comes with high standards.

Keep raising your standards, keep embracing the pressure, keep reaching your potential… it’s better than the alternative.