How can setting high standards for yourself lead to increased job satisfaction and self-respect?

Sometimes we are afraid of failing and because of this we can set low standards for ourselves. We might believe that this means we will achieve things more easily, and thus we will be more satisfied. However, this usually works in the opposite way. When we set high standards, we are motivated to work harder because these are more difficult to achieve. What this causes is that we end up with a higher self-respect and pride, as we have achieved something we know was a lot more difficult.

they both built pyramids.