Shifting Expectations Without Lowering Standards: Lessons from Venus Williams

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Venus Williams US Open 2025 (Adam Hunger/Associated Press)

Last night I watched 45-year-old Venus Williams take the court at the US Open—25 years after she first competed on that same stage.

Think about that for a moment.A quarter of a century later, she’s still showing up, still competing, still defying the limits that so many would place on her.

Watching her wasn’t just about tennis. It was about inspiration, resilience, and what it truly takes to keep performing at a high level as we age.

The Power of Shifting Expectations

Here’s the truth: our bodies, our energy, and our priorities change as we move through life.

What worked for us at 25 might not work at 45—or 65. That doesn’t mean we stop striving. It means we adapt with wisdom.

For Venus, training today probably doesn’t look like training did in 2000. Her workouts, recovery routines, and strategies have shifted. But her standard—the commitment to excellence—remains the same.

And that’s the lesson for all of us:

👉 Shift expectations.

👉 Adjust the process.

👉 But never lower the standard.

Training Body and Mind Through the Years

As we age, training isn’t just about pushing harder—it’s about training smarter.

• Physical Training: Building strength, improving flexibility, prioritizing recovery, and fueling your body with what it needs today (not what worked 20 years ago).

• Mental Training: Cultivating resilience, adaptability, and the inner dialogue that says, “I can keep showing up in new ways.”

• Purpose Training: Connecting each effort back to what matters most so your journey feels meaningful, not mechanical.

Why Standards Still Matter

There’s a temptation, as we age, to lower the bar. To say, “Maybe I just can’t anymore.” But lowering the bar often chips away at our confidence and identity.

Instead, ask:

• How can I pursue this goal differently?

• What strengths do I bring now that I didn’t have before?

• How can I redefine progress on my own terms?

You may run fewer miles, but run them with more joy.

You may work fewer hours, but lead with more impact.

You may lift lighter weights, but do so with greater presence and purpose.

That’s not lowering standards—that’s evolving into your next level of excellence.

Your Challenge: Rethink, Don’t Retreat

Venus shows us that longevity isn’t about clinging to the past—it’s about rewriting what greatness looks like today.

So ask yourself:

Where in my life am I tempted to lower my standards instead of shifting my expectations?

What new strategy could help me show up stronger, wiser, and more aligned right now?

Because you don’t have to be an athlete to live with that kind of resilience.

You just have to decide: I’m still in the game.

📌 Ready to rise and align at every stage of life?

Book a Spark Session with me, and let’s explore how you can adapt your strategies, honor your season, and keep your standards high—no matter your age.

👉 Schedule Your Spark Session Here

This post is for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace professional advice. Read the full disclaimer here.