Last week, I stepped back in time.
After more than a decade away, I returned to Ft. Campbell (home of the 101st Airborne) and attended a 5k run called “Run for the Fallen.”
This run is dedicated to the men and women who have lost their lives during their time serving in the US Army — specifically those from the 101st.
When I went on base to register, this marked the first time since 2014 that I even stepped foot on base since getting out of the Army.
The place I used to spend 20 hours a day working, I hadn’t seen in over 10 years!
Going back on base, seeing the roads I ran, schools I completed, and soldiers walking around everywhere made me feel something that I hadn’t felt much of since getting out… a common standard. Something that is often missing in the business world.
Talk to anyone that has served, especially in a combat role, and you’ll hear the same thing. The relationships with the people we meet and connect to in business pales in comparison to the bonds formed in the military.
Not only because of the hard times we went through together, but because there is a common, mutual standard and respect that everyone has for themselves, each other, and the bigger mission.
In business, many people are out for themselves. Whereas the military enforces a culture of collective achievement.
Now, there are some duds in the Army, of course haha. Not every solder is squared away, but I’m not referring to those few. I’m referring to the solders that are in shape, in regulations, and are experts in their role.
People like this are few-and-far-between in the civilian world.
But why am I saying all this?
The point is, when you work for yourself and you’re on your entrepreneurial journey, you have to set and keep standards.
You can’t be wishy-washy, in and out, backstabbing, and lukewarm.
You need to be dialed in on your faith, fitness, family, friends, and finances (like that alliteration?).
You need to determine NOW what you’re going to say NO to, and then stick to your guns when you’re given the opportunity to level up.
In digital business, connections are soft. Everyone is “friends” with each other. Everyone like to pretend they’re nice all the time. It’s all a façade.
In marketing, it’s even worse. So much dopamine pumping in and out all day long — it’s all garbage.
People like to talk about honesty, integrity, leadership, and hard work. But actually being those things is now a niche, not the norm.
If for no one else but yourself, set a standard and stick to it.
I want to be the person others can count on, and I want to be surrounded with others I can count on.
Being on base reminded me of how surrounding yourself with people of high-standard makes such a huge difference.
It reminded me of the power of surrounding yourself with high-standard individuals.
It’s rare in today’s business world.
But it doesn't have to be.
I'm committing to lead the charge. To gather more people who value integrity over convenience, hard work over shortcuts, and genuine connections over shallow networking.
If this resonates with you, reply and share this with someone. Get in touch with me.
Raise your standards. Discipline is freedom…