🍴Should vs Shouldn't

3 LinkedIn prompts to break free from the "shoulds."

Author

Maria Marchewka
March 31, 2025

380 words ⬇️

People can feel the force.

Not the cool Star Wars kind.

I mean, when we write about topics we don't really care about.

It's so easy to fall into the "shoulds trap."

You SHOULD write about this. You SHOULDN'T write about that.

These thoughts cloud our minds because we're so focused on what we think people want that we lose sight of the main reason we're here - to connect with others.

So, let’s fight back at the shoulds, shall we?

Here are three LinkedIn prompts to write about this week. 

1. What’s a hobby or interest you love that your connections might be surprised to learn about you?

For instance, you might find it surprising that I love professional wrestling.

The storytelling is so good. They know how to keep their audience entertained and invested in the storylines. 

That’s my husband and me at the Royal Rumble in Tampa.

2. Have you ever followed your intuition instead of conventional advice? What did you learn?

Here’s how to set up that post:

  • Start with a brief description of your story. Set the stage for your readers. (1-2 sentences)

  • What was the conventional advice? (2-3 sentences)

  • What was your gut saying? (2-3 sentences)

  • Talk about how you ultimately made the choice to go with your gut. What actions did you take? (2-3 sentences)

  • What’d you learn from this experience? (2-3 sentences)

  • End your post with a question to encourage readers to reflect on their experiences. (1-2 sentences)

Writers, you're going to want to read this.

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3. If you could teach your LinkedIn network one non-business skill that’s impacted your life, what would it be and why?

Use this template to get started:

  • The skill I wish everyone knew:

  • What is it? Explain it like you’re talking to a toddler. 

  • How I discovered it:

  • The biggest misconception about this skill:

  • How it transformed my personal life:

  • The surprising way it improved my work:

  • How anyone can use this skill:

  • Why this skill matters:

This template will help you organize your thoughts and find the connective tissue that turns these answers into a cohesive post. 

Try these prompts this week or run with a topic that excites you. 

No matter what you choose, our goal this week is to break free from the shoulds and show up on LinkedIn.

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