(Principles are basic truths that, when applied, cause success to come to you easier and quicker.)


Ignoring the fact that caregiver and caretaker, while sounding like polar opposites, have an equivalent meaning. Ah, the joys of the English language. Let’s use caregiver in this S3MC.

Caregivers have two motivations: want-to and should-do.

Should-doers are motivated by a sense of duty or obligation and have an ability to shoulder responsibility. [Should is embedded in shoulder, more language stuff.] You see this in some cultures and in many families. There can be a spirit of living up to one’s personal standard. And it works. The person being cared for receives the care and the caregiver gets to express some of their core values.

The want-toers are motivated by a different energy but arrive at the same place. Theirs is a journey of joy; for them it is a joy to serve, to give. Suffering is not part of their equation, only joy.

Neither want-to nor should-do is right. Or wrong. It is simply the individual caregiver’s design and programming emerging and manifesting into the world of form. Having clarity about your motivation is the key.


Coaching Point: Rather than end with a question such as “which are you?” let’s flip it around and ask – how do you prefer to be cared for?


Copyright 2021 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.