Break Bad Habits

Build Better Ones

Become Better Men

 - Nate Whitson -

Have you ever "shoulded" on yourself?

I should I on myself all the time!

 I should exercise.

I should read my Bible more.

I should eat healthier foods.

I should date my wife more.

We've all been there, and for many of us, we might just live there most of the time.

Why do we do this and should on ourselves so much?

The answer may be simpler than you realize:

When we don't enjoy the thing we know we should do, it feels like drudgery or pain.

Think about it. 

If you don't really WANT to exercise and only do it because you think you SHOULD do it - it won't last very long!

Same is true for any other "right" thing you're trying to will yourself to do.

That's why I recommend this simple tool as a part of my Start Super Small System to help you win more often and change those areas of your life that you're struggling to change.

I call it the Want/Should Formula.  (I'm still working on the name, so help me out and email me if you've got a better idea - I'd love to hear it!)

“I will only [do the thing I want] when I [do the thing I should].”

The idea is simple: treat yourself to the thing you want to do, but only when you pair it with the things you know you should.

Here are some everyday examples:

• Only listen to your favorite podcast or audiobook while doing cardio or walking.  (Want: entertainment / Should: exercise)

• Watch your favorite Netflix show only while folding laundry or doing dishes.  (Want: entertainment / Should: chores)

• Enjoy your favorite coffee only after completing morning devotions or journaling.  (Want: treat-caffeine / Should: spiritual discipline)

• Play video games only after reading a chapter of a good book.
  (Want: play / Should: discipline)

• Listen to music you love only while cleaning or organizing.
  (Want: music / Should: responsibility)

• Buy your favorite smoothie only after hitting the gym.                          (Want: food reward / Should: fitness)

• Scroll Instagram only after sending that hard email or finishing a work task.  (Want: social media / Should: responsibility)

• Go to your favorite lunch spot only after hitting your weekly goals.
  (Want: indulgence / Should: discipline)

• Use your favorite app/game only after doing 15 minutes of talking with or connecting with your wife. (Want: dopamine hit / Should: adulting)

Do you have to do these things only when or only after you do the hard, right things?  No.  But if you're struggling to do what you know you should, then maybe the Want/Should Formula can help you win more than you lose.

Change is hard.  But this simple idea can help you find a way to make change easier and change your life.

Try it this week and see how it goes!

Nate

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P.S.

You probably already know the things you “should” do.

 That’s not the problem.

The real challenge that men face is doing them consistently, especially when life is full (and when isn't it!?).

I created the Start Super Small System to help you bridge that gap and finally start following through on the "shoulds".  

👉 Click here to learn more if you're ready to change for good.