JonathanManske.com

A Cure for The Shoulds

If you are a breathing human being, there is a very good chance that you have pressured yourself using the words: should, must and/or need to.

There is also a very good chance that you do this on a regular basis.

Every time that you do this, your quality of life takes a hit, your vitality decreases, your resistance increases and you pressure yourself. (The only thing that thrives on pressure is a tire.)

In general, people do not like to be told what to do and any time they are told what to do, there is a flare of resistance. This is true even if it is you telling yourself what to do.

Should, must and need to are very compulsive words that make you lose perspective. As soon as you use these words, you lose options and choice.

Rather than trying to quit “shoulding” which would be hard work since this is an established habit, let’s use this habit strategically.

Every time that you catch yourself using should, must or need to have that be a wake up call. “Oh I’m stuck in a habit here.” Then change that word to “could”. “Could” allows you to explore, to evaluate your options and make a decision that serves you rather than a decision determined by compulsion and pressure.

Then you can choose to do it or to not do it. And, if you choose not to do it there won’t be any guilt.

Wishing you great joy and success,

Jonathan Manske

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Recipe for a Great Life

I am making an assumption here.  The assumption is that everyone wants to live a great life and be truly happy.

For years I have been telling people that it is impossible to have a great life if your career stinks.  If you spend 40+ hours a week engaged in something that you do not enjoy and that drains your vitality and aliveness, how good can your life be?  How good of a spouse, parent, friend or neighbor can you be coming out of a toxic environment every day?  This heavily impacts you and there is a big cost.

That is why I do what I do.  I make people’s lives better through improving their business or career.

Recently I had my eyes opened.  After being in denial for a while, I saw that an area of my life was really out of balance.  I also saw that this was having a serious impact on my quality of life.  I realized then that it is impossible to have a great life if any major area of your life is not working for you.  You need all areas to be working well.

How good can your life be if you do not enjoy your job, career or business?

How good can your life be if you have major tension and problems in your important relationships (significant other, children, parents, best friends)?

How good can your life be if you are always concerned about your finances?

How good can your life be if you are always concerned about your health and well-being?

In sports it is often said that you are only as good as your worst day.  If you are not playing well and you can still win then you know you are good.

We can adapt this saying to life.  Your overall quality of life is only as good as your worst area.

Think of a hot air balloon.  If there is too much baggage, too much weight, the balloon will not be able to rise to the heights.  With each sandbag removed, the balloon can rise higher.

If you want to live a truly great life, take a look at your worst area.  Make some changes there so that you can get more of what you want.

When you do this, overall quality of life will rise!