“Should” is a dirty word

Ban it from your vocabulary.

If you’re talking about yourself, “should” is a cop out. As Yoda kind of almost said: “Do or do not, there is no should.” If there’s something you should do, then make a plan and take action. Talking about how you should do it is meaningless. “I should drink more water.” So what? Either do it or don’t do it.

If you’re talking about someone else, “should” removes their agency. Don’t tell people what to do, tell them the result you need and let them own it. “Should” is a red flag that someone somewhere is being micromanaged.

As my friend Joe says, “Don’t should yourself.”

(And don’t even get me started on should have.)