Have To/Get To

“I have to exercise…”

“I have to work…”

“I have to take the kids to their game…”

How many of us have said these exact words a couple of months ago? A while back I read an article by Dr. Kevin Elko in which he described how his patients taught him to appreciate the things he took for granted. He related how much his critically ill patients missed those things in life that, all too often, we approach as tasks or irritations: things that we “have to” do.

How many of us wish we could get to go into work, get to go to the gym, or get to take our kids to a team sport right now?

When we emerge from this, as we will, let’s try to replace “have to” with “get to.” Those of us fortunate enough to get to start work again have an opportunity to value what we may have taken for granted in the past. Getting to go to work, getting to help customers with their purchases, getting to make a new customer your new friend: what a privilege! Change your terminology and…Make It Happen!