Changing just ONE word in your vocabulary can mean the difference between independence and helplessness. Change the word “have” into the word “get” in a self-declaration and watch what happens. This tiny adjustment symbolizes a major decision to own your power, own your choices, and establish the plan for your destiny, as opposed to being a victim of your circumstances. It moves you from a deficit mindset to an abundance mindset. You “get to” draw the line, right here and right now, between financial peace and financial chaos, regardless of your current situation, “because” you like the idea of overseeing your life.
In the phrase “I have to,” you imply your short-term or long-term endeavor is contingent upon an action, over which you have no control. You are declaring to yourself that if you want to achieve a result, you have to complete a task. For instance, “I have to go to work if I want to do X.” Essentially, “X” is contingent upon what you have to do. I mean, sure, you can choose not to do the action, but you lose the outcome of X. You adopt an uninspiring frame of mind and who wants to be around that?
Changing the word from “have” to “get” (as in “I get to …”) completely changes the landscape of your entire life because it changes the relationship between you, your action, and your desired goal. The simplest task now takes on new value all because of one small atomic behavioral change. You have established your domain and allowed yourself more freedom and self-rule. In fact, you have given yourself so much self-rule that you can change the goal simply by changing a component of your objective. Compare the following sentences:
I have to go to the grocery store, if I want to make lasagna tonight or whatever I end up eating.
vs
I get to go to the grocery store because I want to make lasagna tonight …or maybe I’ll do another dish.
I have to work a second job, if I want to pay off my credit card debt and get a savings account going.
vs
I get to work a second job because I want to pay off my credit card debt …and add to my savings account.
I have to say no to that purchase, if I ever want to save some cash. Someday I might buy it, if I ever have the money.
vs
I get to say no to that purchase because I want to save some cash. Maybe next month I will see how I feel about this item.
Do you see the difference in approach? It is more gratitude than attitude. In the beginning, you may not actually feel this way, but as the old saying goes, “fake it ‘til you make it.” Eventually, your emotions will follow your mind and your temperament will produce confidence. As with all things, the more you practice the strategy until it is second nature, the easier it gets.
Start with something small like, “I get to clean my bathroom because I love functioning out of a sanitary environment.” You may not enjoy the scrubbing and sanitization process now, but if you go into it with a positive, gratitude-filled viewpoint, you may start looking forward to the regularity of the action merely because of how the result will make you feel.
Try this one out: “I get to save money, because I love the idea of building a financially peaceful lifestyle.” Some results are not instantaneous (although a clean bathroom is), but your approach can change immediately.
New tactics can alter the outcome of your goals. Why not be grateful for the task at hand? Why not be thankful that you can do something fruitful for your life? You are the captain of your ship and you control its direction. So instead of having to enjoy the ride, why not get to enjoy the ride?
Comments