Problem Finding/Reassessing comparisons

—Compared to what?

We often want to become smarter, richer, braver, bolder, thinner, fitter, healthier, cooler, sexier, or funnier. Pause to ask “-er than what?” Carefully choose the standard or reference model used as basis for comparison. Before investing in such a goal, it is useful to ask, “Compared to what?”

There are many possible reference models we can chose as a basis for comparison or goal setting. A list is provided below. In any case it can be helpful to ask:
 * 1) What standard or reference model was chosen?
 * 2) How was that selected?
 * 3) Why is that a pertinent reference standard?
 * 4) What other standards were considered?
 * 5) Why choose this reference model?
 * 6) How much -er will be enough?

Candidate Reference Models

 * Historic performance,
 * Peer, exemplar, or benchmark performance,
 * Planning goals, stretch goals, aspirations, forecasts,
 * Deadlines,
 * Externally originating requests or imposed goals,
 * Improvement goals,
 * (Industry) standards, regulations, contracts, agreements, legal requirements,
 * Imposed by use of power (the boss wants this),
 * Following orders, respect for authority, demonstrating loyalty,
 * Pleasing others, social or cultural norms, tradition, habit, fitting in, impressing others, prestige,
 * Should (What standard is implied? Whose standard is implied?),
 * Fun,
 * Keeping promises, meeting obligations, meeting expectations (whose?),
 * Scientific models, reality, scientific findings,
 * Ideological models, dogma,
 * Worldviews, values (purity, patriotism, honesty, personal responsibility, piety…),
 * Beliefs, Misconceptions,
 * Moral reasoning,
 * Revenge, justice, fairness, caring, regret, shame, guilt,
 * Prevention, repair, remediation, reparations,
 * Hopes, dreams, aspirations, and fantasies,
 * Stories, the dominant narrative,
 * Survival constraints,
 * Safety,
 * Deception, chicanery,
 * Demonstrating team loyalty,
 * Comfort, convenience, stasis, egocentrism, pride, fear, hate, spite,
 * Aesthetics,
 * Whim