12 Jan |
Why We Shouldn’t Say I ShouldBy Susan Whitcomb | 2 Comments »
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The brain is a sentry, always looking out for danger or oddities in our environment. Danger doesn’t just mean physical threats. It can also mean emotional or intellectual threats. And once a threat is perceived, our autonomic nervous system kicks in with a cortisol rush and we shift into fight-flight-freeze mode.
One of the ways we may unknowingly add threats to our lives is with our self-talk. For example, when we say “I should . . .” we are subtly making ourselves wrong. And when we make ourselves wrong, a chain reaction happens.
I should = I’m wrong.
I’m wrong = fight-flight response
Fight-Flight = cortisol spikes
Cortisol spikes = diminished ability to think creatively
In this cycle, we shift from “calm-connect-curiosity” to “cringe-and-condemnation”!
To shift from fight-flight / cringe-and-condemnation mode back into calm-connect-curiosity mode, first, remember to breathe deeply! This brings additional oxygen back to the parts of the brain that can reason.
Then, consider this languaging:
Cringe-Condemnation Calm-Connect-Curiosity
I should be (present) I wonder
I should have (past) I’m noticing
If only I had (past) I’m aware of
In other words, if you’re PRESENTLY saying things like “I should be [working harder, eating less, exercising more, making more networking calls, etc.]”
shift to:
“I wonder [what I might work on that would be most meaningful, what kinds of foods my body really is craving now, how I might get more movement in today, who I’d like to connect with]”
Or, if you’re beating yourself up over PAST “shoulds” such as “I should have worked harder,”
shift your internal dialogue to:
“I’m aware that I could have done more. Next time, I’ll do this differently. I’m grateful that I’m more aware of what works best and what doesn’t.”
What “shoulds” will you be dropping from your vocabulary?! Enjoy!