June 23, 2008
"Have to" or "Get to"
I always tell my clients that they never want to live from a "have to" but should want to live from a "want to, choose to and like, love to". Here is why.
This excerpt came from today's Jon Gordon's (The Energy Bus) Weekly Newsletter. I wanted to share:
Who knew that two simple words could change one's mindset, perspective and approach to work and life? Just two words have the potential to enhance joy, productivity, performance and change a complaining voice to an appreciative heart.
So often we say things like, "I have to take the kids to practice." "I have to go to this meeting." "I have to finish this project." "I have to go to work today." "I have to take care of this customer." "I have to share this new information with my team." "I have to see my family this weekend."
We act as if we don't have a choice. As if we are imprisoned by a paycheck and the expectations of a world that forces us to do thing we don’t want to do. But in reality we do have a choice. We can choose our attitude and our actions. We can choose how we view our life and work. We can realize that every day is a gift.It’s not about what we have to do. It's about what we get to do.
We get to live this life while so many like Tim Russert and my Mom have left this world far too early. We get to drive in traffic while so many are too sick to drive a car. We get to go to a job while so many are unemployed. We get to raise our children even if they drive us nuts at times. 
We get to interact with our employees and customers and make a difference in their life. We get to use our gifts and talents to make a product or provide a service. We get to eat three meals a day while millions of people are starving. We get to work on projects, answer phone calls, serve customers, participate in meetings, design, create, share, sell, lead and suit up every day for the game of life.
Yes there will be challenges and life isn't easy but each day we wake up we get another opportunity to make today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today. We get to uplift, inspire, encourage, and impact others. We get to live this life. Let's make the most of it by remembering that life is a gift not an obligation.
Filed under Motivational Speaking by Arlene
Comments on "Have to" or "Get to" »
Arlene:
I couldn't agree more. Your posting "popped" a few thoughts for me. By replacing "I have to go to my kid's baseball game," with "I want to," you immediately put your life in a more positive light, from "boy am I sick of this traffic," to "aren't I lucky to have a child healthy enough to play baseball," and "I'm glad I live in a community that offers great recreation programs" and "I'm fortunate that the coach is volunteering his/her time to give these kids some enrichment."
Suddenly, the place you've always lived is somehow better.
It's all about seeing what you have, rather than what you don't, and being grateful for it.
kj
I was watching the news of the flood victims in the midwest. A flood victim mentioned, something to the effect, "…you don't know the strength you have until you "have to."…
Have a great day.
Lorraine,
He certainly made a great choice (choose to) as opposed to have to because he easily could have succumbed to everything and yet interally he made the right decision.
People don't realize when they are choosing to respond. I wish we could congratulate him on his choice.
AR
Arlene:
I'm definitely a BIG fan of "get to" as opposed to have to.
For example, I just talked to a client this afternoon who complained about the 30 minutes of things he "had to do".
I reminded him that he was going to make $500,000 from doing those few things and that I'm sure there were thousands of people out there who would gladly trade places with him.
He smiled, relaxed and agreed with me once I brought it up.
Life is a privilege. We are all privileged, so let's live today.
Stanley Bronstein
MrAchievement