“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates

As motivated people, we’re used to telling ourselves, “I should do this” or “I should do that,” but this “shoulding” can be counter-productive too.

I’ve been reading a book called Feeling Good by David Burns where he discusses how your thoughts define your reality. This shouldn’t come as a mind-blowing insight to anyone, but what I like about the book is the practical approach he takes to helping people come over unhealthy thought processes.

I admit that I will sometimes “should” myself into an anxious state with thoughts like:

“I should be spending more time writing.”
“I should be spending more time talking to my employees and giving them feedback.”
“I should be attending more events.”
“I should be exercising more.”
“I should be eating better.”
…and on and on it goes.

In 2014 I want to take things a bit easier on Rob. I did conduct an introspective review of 2013 and have set some goals for 2014, but instead of “shoulding” myself every day, I’m going to try and focus a bit more on well-being. (Well – as much well-being as running a startup allows anyway.)

I challenge you to try and go a week, no – a DAY, replacing every “should” in your mind with “could.”

You’ll thank me later.