Strip Away the Shoulds

I've always said "should" is a bad word. It's like a dark shadow word that steals good intentions and baits us with guilt.  So it makes sense that I take a good hard look at the shoulds in my life right now and strip them off.

Let's take the career one. That's the biggie right now. All kinds of self-worth wrapped up in that one. Ripe with the evil of should.

...I should be making more progress on gaining paying clients
...I should spend more of my day in pursuit of marketing and sales
...There should be a clearer elevator pitch for my business
...My bank account should be less treacherous and cob-webbed

Using my training from the breakthrough thinking course I took years ago, at Gap International, I will take each one and consider the alternative mindset, one that will drive breakthrough results (not more guilt and lack of possibility).

--> I have made decent progress since starting up in August, and can count 3 paying projects, with 2 significant projects in the wings for January. Plus lots of great encouragement and some extended interest from a few other places. Not bad. Let's count success as success.

--> This one is harder, because I'm not sure I have been doing all I can to advance my business...BUT, if I state it in a breakthrough mindset, I will have already achieved my goal:  I balance my time wisely and spend at least 1.5 hours per workday (20% of my time) investing in marketing and selling my business services.

--> I am fine tuning my elevator pitch through coaching with experts and mentors. Wait, that's kind of a weenie line, since it doesn't give me the power of saying I HAVE an awesome elevator pitch. The breakthrough version would be: I have a killer elevator pitch that reflects my technical expertise and my strategic savvy.

--> My bank account is 1st World acceptable, and I don't have any debt other than a credit card. I have retirement funds, a working spouse and no right to complain. That said, I have big goals for how to provide for my family and create the lifestyle I want for us, so:  My bank account reflects a balanced lifestyle that allows me to be there for my children and pursue my personal passions while covering Montessori education and yearly trips abroad for my family.  (Gosh I LOVE that!)

Taking my damn "shoulds" and spinning them on their head to create the powerful messaging that I need is something I am taking more seriously. That was totally a great exercise and I feel better!

(now to tackle the parenting shoulds, the marriage shoulds, the family shoulds, the friendship shoulds.....)