Taste Life Blog

Ahhh, summer vacation has allowed you a few days of rest before getting back into the swing of things. Take advantage of this fresh start to reevaluate your schedule. Can you do it all? First, you need to know the difference between a should and want.

Shoulds

“Shoulds” are those things you think you need to do. They are based on shame or duty and are externally prompted (our ego, spouse, parents, boss, society.) Examples: “I should do this to be a good daughter.” “If I do this, then __ will happen.” “My spouse tells me I need to…” “I should lose weight.” The problems with shoulds are they make you feel like you are doing the right thing, yet they typically aren’t motivating enough to inspire change. This creates a state of continual dissatisfaction. The satisfaction in achievements is short lived. How much of your life are you living versus how much of someone else’s life are you living?

Wants

Wants are those things that are important and fulfilling to you. They are based on a craving or desire and are internally prompted.  Wants support your values and the essence of who you are. They provide you with life satisfaction and gratification and a zest to life. For example, you don’t need to exercise, but your quality of life plummets when you don’t exercise. Wants can be motivating. Think…”It is so me!””I will enjoy this!” “I’m ready to have this!” Wants are full of life and can be fun!

NOW is the best time of year to re-evaluate your wants and “shoulds.” And, no better time for DELIBERATE CREATION of what you really want in your life.

5 Beginning Again Questions:

• What are my top five life values and how do my volunteer activities or social commitments align with those? Do they still match?
• What committees/volunteer activities or social commitments do I feel I should do that are “duty or shame based?”
• What can I do to energize? What do I want to do?
• How can I keep health in my life? What day of the week will I create some “me” time?
• Who do I need to call or email and say?  “Thanks for thinking of me but I am dedicating my extra time to this____ (project) this year.”

Don’t let the calendar and weather dictate your health habits. You can deliberately create time for YOU. Stay connected with your body, mind and spirit. Why?!  Investing in your health habits creates and energy and momentum to create what you really want.

As you are looking at your upcoming schedule, examine the areas that cause you to be “crazy busy.” Pick up the phone and quit the “shoulding” on your life, say NO, and with deliberate creation you can create your best fall ever. What are you waiting for? I am “shoulding” on you to do this today.  I wish you a fall of joyful wants and a new beginning!