What Do You Stand For?

This article has you pondering what are your stands (i.e., your beliefs)? We have included a few examples of stands. Also, there are ideas on how to help you define one belief for yourself. The importance of the read lies in your understanding of what it means to you.

Background

What do you stand for is a thoughtful question requiring some insightful responses. If you don't have any answers to this question, you might want to consider thinking about it for a while and come up with alternatives. We invite you to read further to explore.

You can listen to what other people think they stand for, but what matters is your stands because they will define you - very clearly.

You May Ask Why Is This Important?

If you want to stand out among people, a few things need to persist. Your language and behaviors must be consistent, and when people know what you stand for, it makes life a lot easier, more enjoyable, and much more challenging.

What marble shows up best in the image close by? It is obvious, but is it for you?

What would people say you stand for? Ask around and see what comes back. You may like it or not.

If not, then consider creating some new stands for yourself. To do this, find someone with whom you have great respect - either a hero, mentor, colleague, or friend.

A Heroic Example

An example even today is Abraham Lincoln because he is such a notable figure; a man of deep character. April 10, 2015 marked a 150 years since his assassination. From our perspective, he stood for equal rights, saving the budding United States of America and ending slavery. There is much more he stood for, and you can find out more by reading some recently published works - see footnote 1.

A Personal Example

Let me share with you my example but with some background, and also to help you understand how things change over time. Some 25 years ago, I stood for perfection and found myself falling short much of the time. Realizing that only the Divine can hold that condition, I decided to strive for something more attainable - excellence. I even went as far as to define the measuring of it. Today, I measure most business activities, whether it be objectives and critical results (i.e., OKR's), development projects, or detailed tasks I wish to complete within defined boundaries.

(Note) I consider excellence a daily consideration and strive for it in most things. However, that is an overall guiding stand. Other stands have to do with communicating effectively, interacting, and relating to people. Still, others are in line with staying current in useful technology, playing, and having fun.

How to Define a Stand

For something to become a stand (i.e., belief), you must clearly define it with a specific outcome. It is also helpful to explain a series of choices one could make to attain the stand, the particular actions required, and then measuring whether or not you are successful in your stand.

For example, you may wish to improve your communications with your boss or co-workers, such that they have a clear understanding of what you are communicating. For some great ideas about this, check my Sharon Drew Morgen’s new book, "What? Did you say what I think I heard?"

You may want to inspect some of your behaviors to see what persists in your life to understand how your fellow workers and colleagues see you - they already know these intimately. They are your current stands: we suggest you may wish to refine them and come up with something new that might better serve you.

Footnote

If researching Lincoln is of interest, we recommend the ”Stack of Books About Lincoln Keeps Growing” - see The Kansas City Star article.