Posted on by Phil

A “Get To” Perspective

You know those times in life when you have to do something you really don’t want to?  Maybe it’s some seemingly irrelevant analysis in excel, or a 5 hour drive with someone you’re not super fond of.

We all have lots of things in our lives that aren’t very fun.  And, in entrepreneurship, that is probably even more true.  Many times founders are the ones doing the grunt work up until the company hits a certain point.  This could mean doing data entry for a lead gen project, or washing the dishes someone left in the sink.  The glamorous lives of startups!

In fact, a lot of a founder’s day is stuff they have to do.  Write an eBook, send a newsletter, do a demo, follow up with all the people you met at the event last night, check in on an existing customer…the list goes on and on.  And, honestly, sometimes it’s super overwhelming.  Sometimes you’re thinking to yourself “there are so many things I HAVE TO DO!”

A “Get to” Attitude

If I was smart, the title of this article would be “the one change that will make you so much happier at work.”  I really think with a slight change in perception, things get a bit more fun and exciting.

Instead of a “I have to do this” mentality, you should be adopting an “I get to” do this attitude!  You don’t HAVE to do that excel analysis, you GET to do it and are now more facile with excel, gained insights into whether or not it’s worth it to do the analysis, got to challenge yourself a bit (even if it’s just to see how fast you can do it), etc.

Adopting a grateful mindset is a proven way to be more happy.  If you don’t think this is true, I challenge you to spend 2 full minutes right now thinking about the things you are grateful for and really think about them.  Even if it’s as simple as “I’m so grateful for a warm cup of coffee” or “I love how this pair of sweatpants feels” it will make you happier almost instantly.

The Sports Analogy

I remember watching an interview with Charlie Rose and Gary Player a while back.  Gary is an incredible golfer and Charlie asked him why he was so good.  Gary responded that he enjoys the challenge of being in a bad situation.

This means that when Gary hits his ball into a bunker, his attitude is not “damnit, now I have to figure out how to get this ball out of the bunker and not overshoot the green or else I’m going to lose this tournament!”  No, his attitude is something more like “Ok, now I get to challenge myself.  I get to figure out this problem, and get better at figuring out these sorts of problems from here on out.”

Startup Life

Obviously, this “get to” attitude is tough to internalize.  This is especially true if you’re working 100 hours a week as a resident, or an ibanker, or whatever.  It’s also tough as an entrepreneur who’s focused so closely on building a company while not straying too close to the sun.

However, I think it’s an awesome way to get over the nature of work – which is that a lot of it kind of sucks and no one wants to really do the hard things.  But that right there is a reason to do them – you’re doing the things no one else wants to do, and therefore are gaining an advantage on your competition.  Or, maybe your rational is that you get to provide for your family, or get to gain a new skill, or get to live in the first world where we have so many advantages.

Whatever you do with your days – whether it’s golf or entrepreneurship – try out a “get to” attitude, especially when you find yourself overwhelmed with what you have to do.  I hope it brings you more satisfaction and happiness in whatever it is you’re pursuing.

As a disclaimer, someone in my travels framed this “get to” attitude for me – it’s how they try to live their life.  I totally forget who and in what context, but they deserve any credit for this idea which has stayed in my brain ever since.

8,466 Replies to “A “Get To” Perspective”

  1. I’m extremely pleased to uncover this site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!!
    I definitely liked every little bit of it and I have you
    saved as a favorite to look at new stuff on your
    site.

  2. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital
    to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your
    blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  3. Excellent article. Keep posting such kind of info on your site.

    Im really impressed by your site.
    Hey there, You’ve performed an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends.
    I am confident they’ll be benefited from this
    web site.

  4. This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful
    post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  6. In Niedersachsen waren bis zum 18. Mai Übernachtungen nur für Menschen mit Wohnsitz in Niedersachsen erlaubt,
    diese Regelung wurde von einem Gericht gekippt.
    Weltweit ist Reisen wegen der Corona-Pandemie weiterhin stark eingeschränkt und gesegnet mit Auflagen wie Quarantäne und Testpflicht verbunden. Wo in Deutschland ist
    Urlaub möglich? Da das Oberverwaltungsgericht zudem das Beherbergungsverbot
    für auswärtige Touristen in Niedersachsen gekippt hat, dürfen auch dort wieder Bürger aus anderen Bundesländern Urlaub machen. Dort ist seit dem 17.

    Mai kurz gesagt Land Urlaub unter Beachtung strenger Auflagen erlaubt – zuvor war dies bereits in vier Modellregionen der Fall.
    Touristische Übernachtungen sind in den meisten Teilen Deutschlands noch untersagt.
    Voraussetzungen sind auch weil ein negatives Corona-Testergebnis bei Einreise sowie weitere negative Tests zugegen alle 72 Stunden oder
    alternativ ein Impfnachweis. Seit 17. Mai dürfen in Schleswig-Holstein landesweit Hotels
    et alii Beherbergungsbetriebe für Geimpfte, Genesene und Getestete wieder öffnen. In Deutschland
    sind touristische Übernachtungen noch fast durchgängig untersagt.
    Eine Ausnahme ist Schleswig-Holstein. Urlaub trotz Corona: Welche aktuellen Regeln gelten?

  7. Der so genannte Schräghochparker von WSM ist eine
    interessante Lösung für alle, die Fahrräder auf geringer
    Fläche komfortabel einstellen möchten. Seine solide, witterungsbeständige
    Konstruktion verfügt über Anschlussmöglichkeiten für Diebstahlsicherungen. Schräghochparker
    lösen Stellflächenprobleme an Ausflugszielen, in Unternehmen, Innenstädten und im privaten Bereich, wo z.B.
    Bauordnung Fahrradstellplätze vorgeschrieben sind. Und nicht zu vergessen: Sie bieten einen weiteren guten Anreiz, häufiger das Fahrrad zu nutzen. Der neue Schräghochparker von WSM ist
    ein High-End-System fürs platzsparende Abstellen von Fahrrädern. Ohne eingestellte
    Fahrräder beträgt der Platzbedarf lediglich
    1450 mm unterhalb, mit Fahrrädern sind es ca. 1700 mm.
    Wahlweise sind Ausführungen für vier, fünf
    oder sechs Fahrräder erhältlich. Mit seinen Führungsschienen ermöglicht der Schräghochparker ein komfortables Einstellen und sicheres Abschließen. Das durch Feuerverzinkung korrosionsgeschützte System gibt es sowohl für die freistehende Aufstellung als auch zur Wandmontage, die denkbar einfach
    ist. Kombinierbar ist der Schräghochparker mit einem
    Überdachungssystem von WSM, ins er fest installiert wird.
    Rahmen und Führungsschienen können auf Bitte auch in RAL-Farben beschichtet werden.

  12. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog.
    Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
    Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like
    this one these days.

  17. I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or weblog
    posts on this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this
    website. Reading this info So i’m satisfied to express that
    I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what
    I needed. I such a lot for sure will make certain to
    do not forget this site and give it a glance on a constant basis.

  18. When someone writes an piece of writing he/she keeps the idea of a user in his/her brain that how a user can know it.
    Thus that’s why this post is amazing. Thanks!

  20. Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a
    similar one and i was just wondering if you get a
    lot of spam responses? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any support is very much appreciated.

  21. May I simply say what a comfort to uncover someone that really understands what they’re talking about on the
    net. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light and make
    it important. More people need to look at this
    and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you aren’t
    more popular because you surely have the gift.

  22. This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post.
    Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

  23. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the longer term and it’s time to be happy.
    I have read this submit and if I could I wish to recommend you some attention-grabbing things
    or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles
    referring to this article. I wish to read more issues about it!

  25. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering
    if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
    I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and
    was hoping maybe you would have some experience with
    something like this. Please let me know if you run into
    anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

  29. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday.
    It will always be exciting to read articles from other authors
    and practice a little something from their web sites.

  33. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am inspired!
    Extremely useful information specifically the last phase :
    ) I handle such info a lot. I used to be seeking this particular info for a very long time.

    Thank you and good luck.

  36. What i do not realize is if truth be told how you are no longer
    really much more neatly-liked than you might be right
    now. You’re so intelligent. You already know thus considerably in the case of this subject, made me for my part consider
    it from numerous various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem
    to be involved unless it’s one thing to do with Girl gaga!

    Your own stuffs great. Always care for it up!

  38. Greetings! This is my first comment here so I just wanted
    to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your articles.

    Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects?
    Many thanks!

  39. You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the
    work you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
    At all times go after your heart.

  40. I’m really inspired with your writing talents and also with the structure for your weblog.
    Is this a paid theme or did you modify it your self? Anyway stay up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to peer a great weblog like this one today..

  50. My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of
    your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for. Would you offer
    guest writers to write content available for you?
    I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write related
    to here. Again, awesome weblog!

Comments are closed.