Sometimes a “should” sounds so familiar that you stop hearing it without question. You just accept it as a rule. You should answer every message right away. You should host the holiday gathering. You should keep doing something because you’ve always done it. But who made that rule—and does it still make sense for your life?

 Quote

“You get to choose the parts of your life, but many of the important things in life cannot be ‘finished.’” — James Clear

Some expectations came from people who cared about you. Others came from a workplace, a community, or a season of life that has since changed. You may have taken them on without ever making a deliberate choice. That doesn’t make them bad rules. It does mean you’re allowed to examine them.

Today's Coaching Challenge

Catch one “should” as it comes up today and ask, “Who says I have to?”

If the answer is “I do, because it matters to me,” you’ve found something worth keeping. If you can’t name a reason beyond habit or fear of what someone might think, give yourself room to reconsider. You don’t have to settle the question on the spot. 

Action to take

Write down one recurring “should.” Beside it, write whose expectation it is and whether you want to keep it. 

Always supporting you,                                                                                                                                                                                                  Jan