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Success Advice

Why Standards and Values Create Success in Business

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In today’s chaotic world, you and your business must have a North Star. That North Star is a clear list of standards and values. It’s that simple. Your success depends on determining your standards and values and holding to them. The only way to do that is to raise the expectation of yourself and of your business.

Calculate your standards and values by answering two fundamental questions: who are you? And what do you stand for? If your business can figure out those two truths and stick with them, you will stand out. Today’s society accepts subpar as the norm. We need to raise the bar. You will exceed the average and demonstrate why your business is superior if you hold to your standards and values. This discipline will lead you to success. 

Standards and values might not be the sexiest topic. You won’t find the average Joe talking about them at the bar after work. That’s the point. Having standards and values is rare. It sets you apart. Align your values with your core principles and purpose, and your business will grow exponentially. The reverse is also true; if you choose to skimp on your values, if you become lazy, complacent, and unmotivated – or worse, unethical, making poor decisions – your business will fail under the daily pressures of the fast-paced world.

In fact, the moment you start to relax or get too comfortable in your business, is the moment the devil is going to start knocking at the door of your company and your personal life, and it’s all downhill from there. Standards and values are the horsepower, the driver in the success of your company, and without them, you will quickly find yourself lost in a midst of complacent, like-minded, average no-names who never make it in their business or personal goals. You don’t want to be one of them. Average is doing the least amount that you possibly can and expecting the most. Average Joes wash up fast.

Standards and values mean you won’t be easily swayed by the crowd. You’ve got to stick with your own ethics to succeed in business. There’s a big difference between “living the high life” and “living a life of high value.” Living the high life might mean going out to the strip club after the convention with all your sales buddies, justifying it as “networking.” But what I have found over time is that those contacts fade as quickly as the experience of going to the club. On the other hand, the truly high-quality networking contacts that I’ve made, business contacts who I want to connect with or who I aspire to become, I don’t meet in strip clubs. I connect with them in conferences where they are working on their own personal and professional growth.

“Values are like fingerprints. Nobodies are the same but you leave them all over everything you do.” – Elvis Presley

The bottom line? High-value individuals are found in high-value settings. So, audit your environment. Look at where you spend your time, look at who you find in those environments, and see if the kind of people you’re meeting is the type of people you want to grow with or become. If the answer is neither, then you’ve got to raise the bar for yourself, change the game, and shift your environment. By aligning your environment with your standards and values, your business and personal life will uplevel.

Another part of this battle for standards in life is to simply structure your day to make it the best and most productive. This reminds me of the old Trevor versus the Trevor publishing this today. When I was a heroin addict, I went with the flow. I was easily persuaded to lower my standards, to party through the night, usually not ending well. But today, with my higher standards and values, I have found what works for my aligned goals. Each day, I challenge myself to do what’s best for me today.

If you do that in your personal life and in business, you will continually grow and improve.  Perform at whatever “today’s great” is. Thirteen years ago, that would’ve been just not having drugs that one day. That was a winning day. 

Today, making a great day consists of creating legacy, pulling the levers in life that consistently add to my productivity and vision. Look at the billionaires today. Even Elon, love him or hate him, is still making moves, based on decisions of where he wants to shape society with his standards and values. So, which levers are you going to pull consistently, starting today? That’s how you work your standards and values into your life and business growth.

Regardless of what standards and values you choose, giving and service should be a part of your core principles. As much as we’re talking about improving ourselves, to grow our businesses, we can’t overlook that the best part of life really isn’t about us. We need to think less about ourselves, get out of the fame game. It can be a trap. We’ve all done it. We’re all human. But, in the end, it should be more about putting one’s nose to the grind and getting deals done. Is our core value to show off, or is it to shine? 

I’d say, serving our clients, employees, partnerships, and even my family – that’s where I am being my best. When my standards are high in those areas, through service, everybody wins. And everyone is motivated to do better themselves, which dominoes into even greater success.

In the end, what sets you up for success in business is your decisions. You get to choose. You choose what standards and values you have. You choose whether you want the high life or the high-quality individuals. You choose whether you are average, or are excellent. You choose which lever to pull and which lever not to pull. You choose what environment you want to be in and what environment you’re going to avoid. You choose how you’re going to structure your day or whether your day shapes you.

Nothing is completely beyond your control. You design your life. And by designing your life, you design how you’re going to succeed now and in the future. In business and in your own life, it all begins with the standards and values you choose to propel your success.

Trevor Cowley is a 37-year-old serial entrepreneur, investor, and co-owner of Easier Accounting, 60 Day Credit Repair, and an Everbowl franchise. He’s also the co-host of a business podcast that's ranked in the top 1% in the world called, Real Business Owners with his business partner Kale. The Real Business Owners Instagram page has grown to over 130k followers in just two short years and continues to grow day after day. Trevor's mission is to make a positive impact in the entrepreneur space by giving advice to those who are going through the struggles of owning a business. Trevor is passionate about entrepreneurship and plans to continue seeking opportunities that will make a positive impact on his life and others.

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Success Advice

11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age

Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.

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Mark Manson life lessons on success
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In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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how to build self-confidence through action
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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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