051: Letting Go of “Shoulds”: Adjusting Expectations to Overcome Overwhelm & Take Action

From Stuck to Started: Executive Function & ADHD Coaching to Take Action

How often do you catch yourself thinking, “I should be doing more,” “I should have finished that by now,” or “I should be able to handle this”?

Maybe you feel like those “shoulds” *SHOULD* motivate you, but they often create unrealistic expectations that lead straight to overwhelm.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to adjust your expectations to match your reality—so you can feel less overwhelmed, be kinder to yourself, and still forward on projects & to-dos without the constant pressure. Let’s talk about how letting go of “shoulds” can help you get unstuck.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to notice the “shoulds” in your self-talk and where they come from.
• How to check in with your reality—including energy, mood, sleep, and external factors—to adjust expectations.
• Practical ways to reprioritize, delegate, or shift your plan without guilt.
• Why practicing self-compassion is essential for managing overwhelm and supporting your executive functioning.

Host: Sarah Lovell, Executive Function & ADHD Coach

Resources Mentioned:

• Get your Free ADHD Action Plan

Connect with Sarah Lovell:

• Website: Executive Functioning First
• Instagram: @executivefunctioningfirst

Music by: AudioCoffee, Inspirational Background