Are you a “should”-er?
I should do this; I should do that.
What about “supposed to?”
I’m supposed to do this thing or that thing.
Could you live your life without shoulds?
How amazing would that be?
Let’s try this-
I should go for a run today. I have a running schedule; the schedule says I’m supposed to run 3 miles today- I really should go for a run.
Do you know what I have used-to-woulda done?
I used-to-woulda sat on the couch, ate a pile of Girl Scout cookies (Thin Mints, of- course), and spent time feeling guilty for not going for a run.
I used-to-woulda spent hours of my day thinking about how I can’t even stick to a commitment, meet a goal, or do what I’m supposed to do. AND not only did I not go for a run, but I made it worse by eating cookies, too.
Now I simply think:
What is my goal?
To feel stronger and build more stamina.
OK, what would be a fun way to do this?
I could find a 15-minute workout video.
I could go for a road bike ride into town.
I could walk up the hill behind our house.
Then I go and do the thing, and it feels good.
The End.
Do you see how much brain space I saved by making it FUN?
There is zero internal chatter. There’s no arguing, or guilt, or cajoling b/c
I WANT to do the thing I’ve chosen to do.
That’s it.
Yes, it really is that simple.
The next time there is something you think you SHOULD do, consider:
What is your goal?
What is a FUN WAY to reach that goal?
