“I should go to Jerry’s birthday dinner even though I’m tired and don’t even really feel that close with Jerry.” “I should go work out and run to the bank, but I don’t feel like fighting the traffic, parking, or lines.”

How many of you are saying “should” to yourself or others, or listening to others tell you they “should” do this and that, most of the day?

And how many of you who use “should” as a daily part of your life feel guilty, depressed, anxious, or like a failure for not accomplishing your “should”? How many of you feel annoyed and irritated with those around you who frequently share what they “should” do and then complain because they didn’t do what they say they feel like they “should” do?

What would happen if you turned the “should” into “want”? For example, instead of saying “I should go to Jerry’s birthday dinner even though I’m tired and don’t even really feel like I’m that close to Jerry,” try saying, “I want to go to Jerry’s birthday dinner even though I’m tired and don’t feel very close with Jerry.”

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