You decide who you are.

The reason for setting standards above creating rules is because logic doesn’t drive behavior. Emotion does. Setting standards establishes identity at a personal, emotional level. 

Giving yourself or others an identity to uphold, rather than rules to follow, anchors you to something bigger than yourself that you will not easily sacrifice. Rules are what you have to do. Standards are who you are.

It’s the character you choose, the beliefs you value, the group you belong to, and who you aspire to be.

Embrace the chase. Do the work.