The bar is so low

Have you noticed how rare basic effort has become?

We live in a time where…

• People don’t return their shopping carts.

• Gym-goers leave weights everywhere.

• Text messages go unanswered (not for hours, but days or weeks) by people who are on their phones constantly.

• Businesses ghost customers.

• “Customer service” feels more like customer resistance.

• And people genuinely think they’re doing something amazing just by showing up on time or doing what they said they’d do.

And listen, I’m not above it. I’ve definitely left a dish in the sink too long, zoned out on Instagram when I had other things to do, and even skipped workouts or habits that I know make me feel better.

But the difference is: I care. And I’m trying.

And that alone - in today’s world - can set you apart.

We’ve Confused Mediocrity with Excellence

People act like texting back, communicating clearly, and keeping your word is some next-level virtue. It’s not. That’s just called being a decent human being.

And yet, I’ve had people praise my marriage like it’s a fairytale just because Michael and I clean up after ourselves, communicate when something’s off, and show up for each other. That’s not “goals” -- that’s just doing the work.

This isn’t meant to be harsh, just honest. Somewhere along the way, “effort” has become optional and laziness/flakiness/convenience is normal. We want better lives without better habits. We want deep relationships without intentional effort. We want results (in health, business, marriage, finances) without sacrifice.

But the truth?

You can’t build an exceptional life while living on autopilot.

So, Here’s What I’m Choosing:

✔ Clean up after myself.
✔ Move my body daily.
✔ Take care of my health (not just for aesthetics, but for energy and longevity).
✔ Respond to texts.
✔ Do what I say I’ll do (even when no one’s watching!)
✔ Check in with people I love.
✔ Try to leave every space (digital or physical) better than I found it.

And no, that doesn’t make me special.

It just makes me intentional.

Want to Stand Out?

Try.

If you want to stand out in your career, relationships, business, or personal growth journey, the secret isn’t a secret.

✨ Try.
✨ Care.
✨ Show up.
✨ Do the thing.
✨ Be consistent.

You don’t have to be the smartest, most talented, most connected person in the room. If you’re the one who actually follows through? You’ll win - in business, in friendships, in marriage, in life.

What Happens When You Raise Your Standards?

Here’s the best part: when you raise your standard for yourself, everything around you changes too.

Your work gets better.
Your relationships deepen.
Your confidence grows.
Your health improves.
Your peace expands.
You stop settling for “just okay”, and start creating a life that’s aligned, fulfilling, and powerful.

This Is Your Nudge

If you’ve been waiting for motivation, here it is:

• Put the cart back.

• Clean your kitchen.

• Text your friend back.

• Take your vitamins.

• Lift the weights.

• Go for the walk.

• Run the business like it matters.

• Be the person you’re proud of - even when no one’s watching.

In a world where effort is rare, simply trying makes you uncommon.

But continuing to try (even when it’s hard) makes you unstoppable.

Let’s raise the bar.

Let’s stop clapping for the bare minimum.

Let’s stop pretending that apathy is cool. It’s not.

You’re capable of more, so start acting like it.

-Nicole 🖤

P.S. What’s one area of life where you’ve noticed the bar is shockingly low? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.