Have to, or Get to?

Have to, or get to?

That one-word change can make a world of difference to your happiness.

Are you saying “I have to…” a lot?

If you are an endurance runner or walker, this can spell doom for your training and racing.

Here is what I mean…

But, first, let me tell you a quick story. One of my running partners and I were near the end of a 10-mile training run here in Houston last Saturday morning. We started at 6:30 a.m. with the temperature around 38 degrees Fahrenheit, but the sky was clear, and the traffic was light. Around mile 8, I told my running partner that I was glad that we got to be outside running on a cool but clear morning. She seconded my opinion, and that is when it struck me: changing “I have to” (as in “I have to finish this 10-miler in preparation for my marathon.”) to “I get to” made all the difference in how I saw that run.

So, let me get “in your face” a bit to ask you a serious question:

Are you saying statements like any of the following to yourself (or others)?

• I have to stretch today.
• I have to learn some mental tricks for my marathon.
• I have to see a doctor about this injury.
• I have to master the run:walk method.
• I have to hit the treadmill now.
• I have to predict my chip time with the run:walk method.
• I have to replace these running shoes.
• I have to interview a personal trainer.
• I have to find a new hydration belt.
• I have to get a step beeper for my walking.
• I have to strengthen my core.
• I have to buy an interval timer that I can hear and feel.

Let’s convert each of those “I have to” statements into an “I get to” statement:

• I get to stretch today … because my family encourages me to take time for my health.
• I get to learn some mental tricks for my marathon … because I found a Kindle ebook about them.
• I get to see a doctor about this injury … because I learned from a sports doctor during a seminar that this could be serious.
• I get to master the run:walk method … because I found a training program that uses it.
• I get to hit the treadmill now … because my spouse bought me a gym membership as a birthday gift.
• I get to predict my chip time with the run:walk method … because others have published calculators and books to help me to do it.
• I get to replace these running shoes … because I know experts who have taught me when to replace them.
• I get to interview a personal trainer … because I have the income to afford one now.
• I get to find a new hydration belt … because I have trained so much that I have worn out my current one.
• I get to get a step beeper for my walking … because my walking has become so consistent that I can easily step to a constant beep.
• I get to strengthen my core … because there are books and online videos that others published to show me how to do it.
• I get to buy an interval timer that I can hear and feel … because an entrepreneur took the risks to invent and manufacture one.

Now, notice two things:

1. Each of those “I get to” statements feels more empowering than its corresponding “I have to” statement.
2. The “because” portion of each “I get to” statement is essentially something for which to be grateful!

Have I missed anything? Have you had a similar experience when you switched “have to” to “get to” in your language? Please leave a comment below. Thanks!

P.S. If you want to improve your attitude by raising your gratitude, then I invite you to check out Gratitude Power for Runners and Walkers. In just five minutes a day for less than four months, it can change your life for the better.