Want to Get More Done? Delete “Should” From Your Vocabulary

Let’s talk about a sneaky little word that’s wrecking your goals, your motivation, and your clarity—without you even realizing it.

That word?
“Should.”

It sounds helpful. It feels like ambition. But most of the time, it’s a trap.
And if you’re serious about becoming someone who follows through, this is the mindset detox you didn’t know you needed.

“Should” Is Code for “I’m Not Gonna Do It, But Let’s Pretend”

Let’s call it what it is.

Whenever you say, “I should really…,” you’re usually:

• Avoiding action
• Dodging responsibility
• Or outsourcing your decision-making to some imaginary standard of perfection

Example:

“I should finish that presentation tonight… but I’m exhausted.”
Translation? “I know what I need to do. I’m not doing it. And I don’t want to feel bad about it.”

You’re not actually making a decision—you’re making an excuse.

“Should” Is a Guilt Loop Disguised as Motivation

Nobody says, “I should eat cake.”
You just eat the cake.

But we say:

• I should exercise
• I should drink more water
• I should work on my résumé
• I should go back to school
• I should call my mom

“Should” implies duty with zero desire. And over time, that guilt piles up and becomes resistance.
So instead of taking action, you spiral into shame. Again.

“Should” Keeps You in Fantasy Mode

Here’s the real danger: “Should” gives you the illusion that you’re considering change, when you’re actually avoiding commitment.

Every time you say, “I should quit this job,” but you don’t create an exit strategy? You’re reinforcing the idea that you can’t or won’t change. And that belief gets stronger every time you repeat it.

But here’s the shift:

Replace “should” with either “I will” or “I won’t.”
Make it active. Make it honest. Make it count.

What You Really Mean (And Why It Matters)

Here’s a gut-check worth doing when you hear yourself “should-ing”:

1. Is this something I actually want?
   If yes → make a plan.
   If no → release it. Stop pretending.
2. Am I just afraid to begin?
   Name the fear. Shrink the first step. Then take it. One action is worth a thousand “shoulds.”
3. Is this someone else’s voice in my head?
   Not every “should” belongs to you. Let that stuff go.

Make the Shift: “Should” → “Will” or “Will Not”

This isn’t just semantics. This is ownership.

“Should” Statement	Rewritten with Power
I should write more	I will write 30 minutes on Tuesday
I should lose weight	I will cook at home 3 nights this week
I should quit	I will create a 60-day exit plan

Stop moralizing your to-do list. Start choosing your commitments.

Delete “Should.” Reclaim Your Focus.

You don’t need more guilt to get things done. You need clarity. Clean choices. Forward motion.

So next time you hear yourself say, “I should…”
Stop.
Pause.
And say this instead:

“I either will or I won’t. But I won’t lie to myself.”

That’s where real momentum begins.