Stop Shoulding All Over Yourself

This Mindset Morsel is all about getting really aware of what you're saying to yourself and the effect it could be having on your results.

As usual it's something simple that you can take away and try out now.

Is “should” ruling your life?

Just take a moment to think about how often you use the word “should”?

You might be surprised! I’ll make prediction that when you start thinking about it, you’ll find that it’s quite a lot. In fact, you might find that you’re shoulding all over yourself.

Which is something you could choose to change.

Notice “could”, not “should”: and that really is the point. If I tell you that you should do something, I’m saying that I know better, and there’s some pressure in there for you to do what I say.

But “could” gives you the choice and the power to decide. And it gives you the responsibility for your own outcomes.

How often do you tell yourself you should?

More important than what me or anyone else says you “should” do, is what you’re saying to yourself. Take the time again to notice how often you say to yourself “I should…..”

· I should stop procrastinating

· I should be nicer to my family

· I should set my career/business goals

· I should do the washing up

Should, should, should, should, should, should, should! Notice how you feel when you read those sentences. Now re-read them changing “should” to “could”. How is that different?

Your Action

So, here’s a challenge: pick a day during the next week (go on, decide which day right now). On that day, pay attention to every time that you say you “should” or “must” do something, and then replace it with “could”. Then you’ve put yourself in charge of the situation, so decide whether you’re going to or not.

Notice the difference it makes and come back and share your experience with other readers.

Wishing you happiness and success.

Dave