What a swallowed request turns into
A need that is said once and then taken back does not go away. It keeps running against a setting nobody else can see, it costs the body and the person across the table while it runs, and it comes
reference value
Meaning
An internal standard represents the desired state that a self-regulating system seeks to maintain through continuous adjustment. The reference value acts as the anchor against which incoming sensory perceptions are compared. When a difference is detected between the perception and this standard, the system generates an error signal that drives action.
This mechanism ensures that the system remains focused on its targets despite external changes, keeping behavior aligned with the operator’s deeper objectives.
Set Point
The calibration of this target determines the level of effort required from the operator. If the reference value is set exceptionally high, as is common among founders, the system must work continuously to minimize the error signal. This high setting creates a state of chronic demand that can deplete the individual’s energy over time.
Signal Calibration
Adjusting the standard is a difficult process because reference values are often deeply embedded in the hierarchy of the self. During a transition, the old standards of high performance and constant activity may no longer be appropriate. The individual must consciously lower these set points to avoid a continuous sense of failure and frustration.
Directing Vector
Action follows the path dictated by the comparator’s attempt to match the standard. When a founder realizes that their internal demands are self-generated, they can begin the work of redefining what constitutes a satisfactory day. This realignment reduces the error signal without requiring the frantic effort that characterized the founding years.