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. wonderful issues altogether, you just won a brand new reader.
    What would you suggest about your put up that you simply made some days in the past?
    Any sure?

  2. I simply could not depart your site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the standard info a
    person provide on your guests? Is going to be back continuously to inspect new posts

  3. I’m curious to find out what blog system you have been utilizing?
    I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest blog
    and I’d like to find something more safeguarded.
    Do you have any recommendations?

  4. Hurrah! At last I got a webpage from where I be able to really obtain useful information concerning my study and
    knowledge.

  5. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It
    in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable
    from you! However, how could we communicate?

  6. Wonderful blog you have here but I was curious if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed
    here? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I
    can get responses from other experienced individuals that share
    the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

    Thank you!

  7. I simply could not depart your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the
    standard info a person supply in your visitors?
    Is going to be back frequently to inspect new posts

  8. Hi are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m
    trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any html coding
    knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  9. hi!,I like your writing so much! proportion we
    be in contact more about your post on AOL? I need an expert in this house
    to solve my problem. Maybe that is you! Looking forward to peer you.

  10. Hey there! I’ve been following your web site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Tx!
    Just wanted to mention keep up the great job!

  11. great points altogether, you simply gained a new reader.
    What might you suggest in regards to your post that you simply made a few days in the past?
    Any sure?

  12. Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of.

    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people
    think about worries that they just don’t know about.

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

  13. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find
    this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand.

    It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try
    to get the hang of it!

  14. If some one wishes expert view about running a blog after that i suggest him/her to go to see this weblog, Keep up the pleasant job.

  15. I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your blog.
    It appears as if some of the text in your content are running off the screen. Can someone
    else please provide feedback and let me know if this
    is happening to them too? This may be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.

    Thanks

  16. Thank you for any other informative blog. Where else could
    I get that type of information written in such an ideal manner?
    I’ve a challenge that I’m simply now running on, and I have been on the
    look out for such information.

  17. naturally like your website however you have to test the spelling
    on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with
    spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the reality nevertheless I’ll surely come back again.

  18. Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff prior to and you are simply too great.
    I really like what you have obtained here, really like what you are
    stating and the best way during which you are saying it.
    You are making it enjoyable and you continue to take care
    of to keep it wise. I cant wait to read far more from you.

    That is really a great website.

  19. Fantastic website you have here but I was curious about
    if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
    I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get feedback from other experienced people that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Appreciate it!

  20. I’m extremely pleased to find this great site.
    I want to to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!!
    I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you book marked to see new information on your site.

  21. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get
    that “perfect balance” between usability and appearance.

    I must say you have done a awesome job with this. Also,
    the blog loads extremely quick for me on Internet explorer.
    Outstanding Blog!

  22. Thanks , I’ve just been searching for info about this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered till now.

    But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are
    you certain about the source?

  23. hello!,I really like your writing so a lot! percentage we keep in touch
    more about your post on AOL? I require a specialist in this house to resolve my problem.

    Maybe that’s you! Taking a look ahead to
    see you.

  24. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between superb
    usability and visual appearance. I must say that you’ve done a excellent job with
    this. In addition, the blog loads super quick for me
    on Chrome. Exceptional Blog!

  25. Hello! I’ve been following your weblog for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a
    shout out from Huffman Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the great job!

Comments are closed.