There’s a member at the gym I’ve known for a while, but never really had the chance to talk to.
The kind of person you don’t need to explain—when they’re around, you just feel… better. Like you should be operating at a higher level without them saying a word.
We finally had a conversation the other day. A real one. Life, parenthood, the world.
At one point, he asked me something work-related. I gave him my answer, explained the situation, the circumstances behind it.
He listened… then simply said:
“The standard is the standard.”
I tried to explain more. The “why.” The context.
But his stance didn’t move.
And that’s when it clicked.
He wasn’t asking about my situation.
He was asking about my response.
That’s the message.
Life happens. Work, family, stress—things that feel unfair.
But the standard is the standard.
Not for anyone else—for you.
Your circumstances don’t define your standard.
Your response does.
So even when you don’t feel like it…
even when it’s inconvenient…
even when it doesn’t feel fair—
The standard is the standard.
Define yours—and don’t negotiate it.
