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. If some one needs to be updated with most recent technologies after that he must be pay
    a visit this website and be up to date all the time.

  2. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. However imagine if you added some great pictures or videos to
    give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but
    with pics and videos, this blog could undeniably be one of the
    greatest in its field. Great blog!

  3. What’s up to every single one, it’s really a pleasant for me to pay a quick visit this site, it contains precious
    Information.

  4. Generally I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish
    to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so!
    Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great post.

  5. Hi there superb blog! Does running a blog
    similar to this require a massive amount work? I have no expertise
    in programming however I had been hoping to start
    my own blog in the near future. Anyhow, if you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off subject however I simply wanted to ask.
    Kudos!

  6. Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites?

    I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would love to
    have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would appreciate your work.
    If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.

  7. I’m not sure why but this blog is loading incredibly slow for me.
    Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
    I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.

  8. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally,
    it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos
    to your blog when you could be giving us something
    informative to read?

  9. I think that is among the most important info for me.
    And i am glad reading your article. However should statement on some normal issues, The site style is great, the articles is really great :
    D. Good activity, cheers

  10. magnificent points altogether, you just gained a new reader.
    What could you recommend about your post that you just made some days
    in the past? Any positive?

  11. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted
    to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.

    After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  12. Wonderful blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?
    I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.

    Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed ..
    Any ideas? Cheers!

  13. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy
    on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here
    and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create
    your theme? Exceptional work!

  14. Since the admin of this website is working, no uncertainty very shortly it will be famous, due to its feature contents.

  15. Every weekend i used to visit this website, because
    i wish for enjoyment, for the reason that this this web site conations truly nice funny information too.

  16. hello there and thank you for your information – I have certainly picked up something new from right here.
    I did however expertise some technical points using this site, as I experienced to
    reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
    I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will very
    frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if advertising
    and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS
    to my email and could look out for a lot more of
    your respective intriguing content. Make sure you update
    this again soon.

  17. Good web site you have got here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days.

    I truly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

  18. When someone writes an piece of writing he/she retains the plan of a user in his/her mind
    that how a user can understand it. Therefore that’s why this article is perfect.

    Thanks!

  19. Unquestionably believe that which you stated.
    Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest
    thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about.

    You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as
    defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people
    can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.

    Thanks

  20. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem
    to be running off the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is
    a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post
    to let you know. The style and design look great though!
    Hope you get the issue solved soon. Cheers

  21. Heya just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.

  22. Useful info. Fortunate me I found your website accidentally, and I am surprised why
    this twist of fate didn’t took place in advance! I bookmarked it.

  23. I’m now not certain the place you are getting your information, however great topic.
    I needs to spend some time finding out more or understanding more.
    Thank you for magnificent information I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.

  24. Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this
    website with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Great blog and outstanding design and style.

  25. Hi there! I simply want to give you a big thumbs up for your
    excellent information you have here on this post.
    I am returning to your blog for more soon.

  26. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very smartly written article.
    I will make sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful
    information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.

  27. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.

    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s
    tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on various websites for about a year
    and am concerned about switching to another platform.
    I have heard very good things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?
    Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

  28. My brother suggested I would possibly like this blog.
    He was totally right. This submit actually made my day.
    You can not imagine just how a lot time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  29. It’s genuinely very complex in this full of activity
    life to listen news on TV, therefore I simply use internet for that
    reason, and take the most up-to-date information.

  30. I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of area
    . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website.

    Reading this info So i am happy to exhibit that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed.

    I so much no doubt will make sure to don?t put out of your mind this web site and provides it a glance regularly.

  31. First off I want to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do
    not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your thoughts prior
    to writing. I have had a difficult time clearing my mind in getting
    my ideas out there. I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10
    to 15 minutes are usually wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?

    Many thanks!

    my web page; Cash Buyers In Las Vegas

Comments are closed.