So much of what we do in life feels like an obligation: / have to go to work. I have to pay the bills. I have to take care of others. This language, however, creates a mindset of powerlessness, as though we’re passengers on a train with no control over the destination. But what if we shifted (SHYFTiD®) our internal dialogue from I have to to / choose to? This simple but profound change unlocks a sense of empowerment and intention.

 

 

When we say I have to, we’re essentially telling ourselves that there’s no choice, no room for alternatives. This language implies that life is happening to us, rather than through us. It creates a sense of obligation rather than empowerment and leaves little space to evaluate whether our actions align with what we truly want or value.

But here’s the truth: life is full of choices. Every day, we make decisions-some small, some monumental-that shape our lives. Even when the options feel limited, we are still actively choosing one path over another. Recognizing this is the first step toward living with intention.