Get To vs. Have To

Recently I watched a little video where kids talked about what they wanted to be when they grew up. It was one of those “Kids say the darnedest things” types of videos. What one boy said really captured my attention. He said “When I grow up I want to be a garbage man because they get to ride on the outside of the truck.” Oh the innocence of youth!

As I thought more on that statement it got me to thinking. Isn’t what we “get to do” the thing that attracts us to a career? And then after awhile we stop focusing on what we get to do and turn our attention to what we “have to do.” And then the have to’s start out weighing the get to’s and then we become dissatisfied with our work.

If you are feeling less than satisfied about your job and your work perhaps it’s time to focus on the things you get to do, rather than on what you have to do.

I might have to pick up people’s trash every day. But I get to ride on the outside of the truck! How cool is that!