I Get To vs. I Got To
This morning, I was dreading the next big project on my plate. I’ve spent the last few days clearing away everything except a looming proposal that I’ve been dragging my feet on. It’s an incredible opportunity to work with a great company, but the intricacy of the details combined with a complicated pricing structure has prevented me from wanting to complete it.
As I was on my way to drop the kids off at school, I tweeted, “Gotta work through a HUGE project proposal today…stay focused!”
Immediately after the update successfully posted from my phone, I felt a tremendous weight on my shoulders. “I gotta work on this.” Not exactly proper grammar, but you get the point. This procrastinated “requirement” was weighing me down so much that I didn’t even want to get started. With the heaviness pulling down my mood, I started to rethink what I was telling myself.
Here’s the story I was believing…
- This proposal is going to take forever.
- It’s going to be painful.
- I’m not going to know how to price this out.
- This is going to be more work than it’s worth.
Craziness – sheer and utter craziness.I recognized the Voice of Nonsense quite well. I hear it often. So, I re-framed the entire situation in a matter of moment.
I don’t “got to” do this proposal…I “get to” work on this project!
It is a complete privilege to be asked by this company to put together an extensive proposal with the assumption that they are going to use 8TRACKstudios to complete the work. In fact, it is project that will ultimately impact thousands of lives.
I started telling myself a new story…
- I can put this proposal together TODAY.
- It’s more painful procrastinating than it is to actually do it.
- I’ll be able to figure out a fair price based on the work that will be needed.
- I am helping to change the world by working on this project.
Guess what? I came right home, and I got to work. I pulled out my notes on the project, and I started to make phone calls. I sourced the creative elements, and I got contractors lined up. I didn’t finish the proposal today, but it’s 75% done, and it wasn’t painful at all. In fact, I’m more energized about the project than ever.
What if you started telling yourself a “get to” story?
Thank you for this. Anytime I complain about the headache of my current situation, I will just remember that I could be back in a corporate environment doing mind-numbing work. I “get” to do a lot of fun stuff now. Not all of it is fun, but all if it is better than where I used to be. So I’m going to start trying to use this.
You are quite welcome. We “get to” do fun stuff together…and sometimes not so fun stuff.
I don’t know if you made this up or if you got it was inspired from someplace else, but its Genius!! I needed to hear this because I have a speaking request that I was contemplating turning down. I love the venue and the people but I am dreading preparing a new presentation because my workload is already full.
But using this “I get to” is going to help put things in perspective.
“I get to help others”
“I get to grow my brand”
“I get to develop my craft”
I feel better already. Thanks for the motivation!