What makes you come alive? I bet it doesn't start with the word "should"...
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman
What's your relationship with the word "should"?
Few words can elicit guilt or drain your energy as quickly as "should." While it can serve a purpose, it can also push you down paths not really suited for you — "I should go into that profession because I'm good at it - even though I can't stand it" — and cause a lot of unnecessary angst. The longer you tell yourself you should do something, the more it saps your zest.
This week, be aware of the word "should."
Are you frequently saying it to your employees?
To your family?
To yourself?
You might be surprised how often it sneaks its way into your vocabulary!
Pay attention and, if you find it draining, replace it with a different word: will or won't, for example. Then you've made a choice rather than simply a judgment.
This shift "should" change your perspective and help you, in Thurman's words, come alive!