Embracing Gratitude: The Power of ‘I Get To’

Great Morning Team,

At the start of this new week, I wanted to take a moment to share a thought that has been resonating deeply with me lately: ‘Gratitude changes everything’ … let’s begin with ‘I get to’ instead of ‘I have to.’

In the hustle and bustle of our daily routines, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by our to-do lists and responsibilities (whether it is professionally or personally). We often catch ourselves thinking, “I have to finish this report,” “I have to attend this meeting,” or “I have to deal with this issue.” But what if we shifted our perspective? What if we embraced the mindset of “I get to”?   Let’s consider the difference:

• “I have to finish this report” becomes “I get to showcase my skills and contribute to our goals!”.
• “I have to attend this meeting” transforms into “I get to collaborate with others and be part of impactful conversations!”
• “I have to deal with this issue” turns into “I get to solve problems and grow from the experience”.

This shift in perspective, from obligation to opportunity, is the essence of gratitude. It is about recognizing and appreciating the privileges we have, no matter how small they may seem. When we start seeing our tasks as opportunities, everything changes!  Our work becomes more meaningful, our challenges more manageable, and our days more fulfilling.

On a personal note, I have recently experienced this transformation myself.  A few months back, I was feeling the weight of preparing for an important training presentation scheduled for the summer.  At first, I was overwhelmed, thinking, ‘I have to develop this training and present it to all the managers at E&I in just a few weeks.’  However, I reminded myself of the gratitude mindset. I shifted my perspective to, ‘I get to present in front of our managers and share ‘the E&I way’ with them.’  This straightforward change in mindset made a significant difference. Instead of anxiety, I felt excitement and empowerment as I continued to collaborate with my colleagues. The presentation went well, and the positive feedback we received was truly rewarding.

Let’s embrace this gratitude mindset together and see how it can change our work and our lives for the better! Don’t forget, gratitude is a powerful thing. It can turn what we have into more than enough and help us appreciate every moment. It can shift denial into acceptance, chaos into calm, and confusion into clarity. Gratitude helps us make sense of our past, brings peace to our present, and inspires our dreams for the future. Let us keep moving forward with gratitude, ready to turn every “I have to” into an “I get to.” 🌟    

For more inspiration on this topic, I highly recommend reading this article on the “I Get To” mindset. It provides great insights and practical tips on how to incorporate gratitude into our lives. 

What do you get to do this week 😊?   Wishing you all a Better We, Better Week!