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How many times have you told yourself:
I should eat healthier.
I should wake up earlier.
I should work out more.
I should start my business.
Sound familiar?
Most people live their lives drowning in "shoulds"—things they want to do but never truly commit to. Why? Because shoulds don’t create action. Musts do.
💡 Biggest game-changer: The difference between successful people and those who struggle isn’t intelligence, talent, or luck—it’s what they define as a must versus a should.
This article will show you how to turn your “shoulds” into “musts” and take control of your life.
The Power of Musts vs. Shoulds
Ever wonder why some people make massive changes overnight while others struggle for years?
🚨 It all comes down to their standards.
"Shoulds" Keep You Stuck in the Same Place
A should is something you wish for, but there’s no urgency. You may even feel guilty for not doing it, but nothing changes.
Example:
I should save more money. → But you still spend impulsively.
I should work out. → But you keep hitting snooze instead of going to the gym.
"Musts" Demand Immediate Action
A must is non-negotiable. It’s an identity shift. When something becomes a must, you don’t need motivation—you just do it.
Example:
I must be financially secure. → So you automatically budget and invest.
I must be healthy and strong. → So you exercise daily, no excuses.
💡 The moment you shift a should into a must, your life changes.
Discovering Your Musts: What Drives You?
Think about any major transformation in your life. It probably happened when something had to change, not when you just wanted it to.
How to Identify Your Musts
Ask yourself:
✔ What am I no longer willing to tolerate in my life?
✔ What scares me more: change or staying the same?
✔ If I continue on this path, where will I be in 5 years?
Example: The Fitness Shift
Imagine someone who “should” lose weight. They say it every year, but nothing happens.
Then, they get a health scare—a doctor tells them they need to change or risk serious illness. Suddenly, it’s a must. They lose 50 pounds in 6 months.
🚀 Musts drive action. Shoulds make excuses.
Simple Steps to Start Turning Shoulds into Musts Today
Now that you understand the power of musts, here’s how to make them part of your life:
Step 1: Raise Your Standards
Your life is a direct reflection of what you tolerate.
If you tolerate procrastination, you’ll stay stuck.
If you demand excellence, you’ll rise to meet it.
🔥 Ask yourself: What standard am I willing to accept from myself moving forward?
Step 2: Change Your Identity, Not Just Your Habits
Instead of saying, “I should eat better,” say:
I am a person who fuels my body for energy and longevity.
I don’t eat junk food because I respect my health.
Your actions will always align with your identity.
Step 3: Create Immediate Consequences
If something is truly a must, failing to act on it should feel unacceptable.
Set deadlines.
Tell someone to hold you accountable.
Attach pain to inaction (ex: If I don’t go to the gym, I donate $50 to a cause I hate).
🚀 The brain moves away from pain faster than it moves toward pleasure. Use it to your advantage.
Why Your Peer Group Shapes Your Musts
Your environment plays a massive role in what you see as a must.
If you spend time with:
✅ Fit, high-energy people → You’ll see health as a must.
✅ Wealth-conscious friends → You’ll prioritize financial growth.
✅ Goal-driven individuals → You’ll naturally push harder.
💡 Your standards reflect the expectations of your peer group.
🚨 Warning: If you hang around people who tolerate mediocrity, you will too.
Quick Fix: Upgrade Your Circle
Surround yourself with people who expect more from life.
Read books from high achievers.
Listen to podcasts that challenge your thinking.
The Psychology of Musts
Dr. Peter Gagliardo, a mindset expert, explains:
"Your brain is wired to seek comfort, not growth. The only way to break this cycle is to make your goals non-negotiable. Once your mind believes something is a must, it will find a way to make it happen."
🚀 Translation: If you want to change your life, change what you accept as a must.
Stop Waiting, Start Demanding More from Yourself
✔ Shoulds keep you stuck. Musts create action.
✔ Your life is a reflection of what you demand from yourself.
✔ You control your standards—raise them, and everything changes.
🔥 Your next move: Identify one "should" in your life and turn it into a must today.
💬 Drop a comment below: What’s one must you’re committing to right now?
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