No One “HAS to” Do Anything; We GET to

For years people have asked me questions like these:

Why do you HAVE to work so early?

Do you HAVE to work tomorrow/today/earlier/later/this weekend/that holiday?

You get the picture. The questions imply that you are powerless to do otherwise.

So I always answer, "No; but I GET to."

Nobody HAS to do anything, ever. But we GET to do all kinds of things often.

In any profession, there is no day or time that is a throwaway day or time. As a business owner it is the same. When I was in the big box clubs it was no different. You get to show up. Even for those working 9-5 it's likewise that you show up by choice. You only "HAVE TO" insomuch as you deem the consequences unconscionable.

How can I say that? Well, because a lot of people do walk away from their "obligations." Sometimes legitimately. Sometimes not so much. They quit. They file bankruptcy. They walk out on their families or their kids.
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I've seen not a small number of coaches and trainers sleep in, miss appointments, skip days. And sometimes the most carefree unreliable people suffer few consequences. Sometimes clients like the idea that the trainer has deep character flaws. On occasion it becomes endearing. And we are all familiar with that absentee coworker, manager or director/executive/owner even who becomes a workplace joke: "hey guys, do you think so-and-so will show up today or is he out 'sick,' 'in a board meeting,' 'traveling for work' again?"

But for me, I find that this is what I GET to do. Everyone you lead will generally be, on average, at least one step less accountable than you, one notch less consistent, one decision less put-together.

Someone may argue the semantics, saying I feel I owe it or a sense of duty to my mentees and my family. From my perspective, it is a simple unshackled honesty. When I said I want to provide for my kids, I meant more than dollars. I meant examples. When I said I want to help people, I didn't say, "only if it's really convenient for me." The world won't mend itself if we keep thinking we are trapped under the thumb of "HAVE TO." But everyday you freely "GET TO" serve your fellow man or neighbor.
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The universe didn’t owe you this day, this job, this challenge, this life. It didn’t “have to” gift you another chance, another opportunity to live. But... we GET it.