Cutting Through the Shoulds: Making Decisions That Reflect Your Values

How many of your decisions are driven by what you truly want—and how many are shaped by what you think you should do? In this episode of Elevate Her, we unpack the hidden influence of "shoulds" and explore how to make decisions rooted in your own values instead of external expectations. Learn practical tools to identify borrowed beliefs, clarify what matters most, and confidently choose a life that feels authentic.

Key Takeaways

• Not every "should" is wrong—but every "should" deserves to be questioned.
• A true value remains even when no one is watching or judging.
• Goals are destinations; values are the direction you choose to live each day.
• Achieving goals without connecting them to your values can leave you feeling unfulfilled.
• Your happiest, most authentic moments often reveal your real values.
• Your values can change over time, and that's a sign of growth—not failure.
• Relief is valuable information. Pay attention to decisions that feel lighter, not just more impressive.
• External validation is natural, but it shouldn't become your primary compass.
• Small, intentional decisions strengthen your ability to make bigger, values-driven choices later.

Share this episode with an individual who's ready to stop living by someone else's expectations and start making choices that reflect who she truly is. Then ask yourself: What's one "should" you're ready to question this week?

Message Theresa!

Hosted by Theresa Gonnella, a pharmaceutical sales leader and transformational coach who has led large teams and helped shape national sales strategy. After an unexpected layoff in her early 30s, she moved to Italy, built a private wine label, wrote a book, and returned to corporate America with a new perspective on risk, reinvention, resilience, and success on her own terms.