Stop Saying " I have to" and start saying "I want to."

Stop saying “I have to” and start saying “I want to”.

Do you ever notice yourself saying, out loud or silently, “Oh, now I have to get groceries,” or, “I have to finish this report”, or “I have to work out this afternoon”.

Although saying I have-to is a habit many of us use a lot, it is a lie.

You really don’t have to do anything.

You’re choosing.

And that’s a good thing!

Speaking and acting as if you have to do things dis-empowers you and can keep your stuck in the role of being a victim of your daily busyness and life’s circumstances.

The truth is, we don’t have to do any of those things we listed above.

I want to get groceries because I love having good food to eat.


I choose to finish this report because some people will be helped by it and because I’m looking forward to moving on to other projects.


I want to work out this afternoon because I love feeling strong, toned, vibrant and youthful.

Re-stating these simple sentences this way reminds me that I am a powerful choice maker and activates my power of enthusiasm rather than bogging me down in the dreariness of duty.

Shifting from saying or thinking I have to … To: I want to... or I choose to... is one simple and life-changing way you can re-wire your brain so that you are becoming more fully your real self and you are creating the life you really want.

Notice Kindly: How does it feel when you say ( or think): I have to ______________.

Notice how you feel when you shift to: I want to ________________.

OR: I choose to__________________.

You have the power every minute every day to live your life by choice, rather thanby default.

Claim your power of choice by making this one simple shift.

Leave your comments below and let me know what you notice with this word swap!