Swapping 'Should' for 'Choose to' or 'Choose not to'.

Swapping 'Should' for 'Choose to' or 'Choose not to'

Do you ever find yourself mentally listing all the things you ‘should do’? I’m guessing that any thoughts containing ‘should’ leave you feeling less energised, unenthusiastic, put-upon, obligated, perhaps resistant, even resentful. You may find you either procrastinate, or you do the things you ‘should do’, but the energy you bring to them and the emotions associated with completing these things aren’t so positive.

I really believe the language we use has a huge impact on how we feel about what we do, or don’t do. People can say it’s semantics, but language is important.

So, what does this mean in the context of ‘should’? Well, language matters. It’s worth noticing how you feel about something on your ‘should’ list if you change your language to ‘choose to’ (or ‘choose not to’), ‘want to’, or ‘get to’.

By using language like ‘choose to’ or ‘choose not to’ we feel more empowered, more in control. If we choose to go to the gym, or choose not to, both are valid choices that we are owning, rather than giving our power away to an external source, be that a real source or an imagined voice telling us we ‘should’.

This applies in all areas. When we are choosing to do something or choosing not to, we are making the decision and this brings a very different energy, one of gratitude, freedom, conscious choice. And if we choose not to, then we can own that too and be comfortable in the ‘not doing’. You can choose to get fit, give up vaping, complete a project at work, call a friend or family member, or whatever else is on your ‘should’ list. Or you can choose not to. I think we always feel better about a choice we make, rather than one we feel is forced upon us, or one where we feel an obligation.
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So I leave you with the question, what are you going to choose to do, and what are you going to choose not to do? Make the choice and then be comfortable with owning that choice. While not a magic wand, I do encourage you to notice the difference in how you feel when you change the language of your thoughts. 

Laurenne Di Salvo
Coach (PCC) | Clinical Hypnotherapist | Facilitator
0413 776564
www.harvestcoaching.com.au