Standards stick when consequences are immediate, low‑ego, and tied to repair—not shame. The Standard Wager is a simple morning discipline: choose one clear standard for the day, name a small, reversible stake you’ll accept if you fail (ten push‑ups, a five‑minute repair task, a short journal entry), and declare it to yourself in a thirty‑second line. James explains the mental model—stakes create clarity, not coercion—offers selection rules for usable wagers (reversible, proportionate, dignity‑preserving), and gives three practical wager templates for work, family, and personal focus. You get exact language to lock the wager, a one‑minute rehearsal to make it feel natural, and a three‑day micro‑trial to test whether immediate, private consequences increase follow‑through without drama. This is accountability you can live with: small cost, quick repair, steady standards. If this matters to you, subscribe — and come back tomorrow.