Mindset Hack



Thinking that you GET to do things instead of thinking you HAVE to do them, is a well-being hack I picked up from scrolling through social media this week.

Having a few minutes spare, I opened Instagram to vicariously enjoy friends’ holidays. I paused as a Reese Witherspoon video appeared and being a fan of this brilliant woman, I chose to stop and listen to what she had to say. Yes, it would take the few spare minutes I had, but that’s what happens on social media, so stay with me.

She has credited Steve Guttenberg for this insight, but I’m sure neither he nor Reese are the first people to pronounce it. The advice is: instead of saying you have to do such and such, say, I get to do such and such.

It changes the mindset – the attitude you have to the task or the situation.

I get to rise at dawn so I can write more of my novel. I get to exercise each day so I can stay healthy. I get to work, go shopping, do the washing, clean my house, make a phone call, go to the physio, walk the dog… You get the picture. I’m fortunate I get to do these things.

Changing the words you use changes the way you feel. Instead of feeling weighed down by a have to, feel uplifted by a get to.

The get to generates gratefulness and positivity.

I get to write my blog once a month. I love doing it because I get to express things that interest me. But I often reach the time it should be published – like today – and feel pressured because I also have a novel to write and a life to live. We all feel pressured by the things we need to do, right?

So, when I woke this morning thinking, I have to write my blog, Reese’s video came back to me. I changed that thought to I get to write my blog, and I instantly felt a little burst of positivity. It was just enough to make me see I also have a choice as to how much time to spend on it. And here is the result. I hope that you benefit from it.  

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carlasimmonswriter

I write about relationships, human nature, women's issues, travel, spirituality, and anything in the natural environment. Sometimes I write about writing and my journey to authordom. I follow whatever piques my interest and share what I find. I'm writing a novel about women in mid-life, the challenges they face and their ability to evolve. Australia is my home and I feel blessed to be here.

4 thoughts on “Mindset Hack”

  1. that’s a really good way to approach one’s “to do” things that tend to weigh us down at times as the list doesn’t diminish due to doing too many fun things!!!

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  2. Such wise words. I’m so lucky that I get to have you as a friend and fellow writer. I’m lucky that I get to have free time to fulfil my dreams. I get to live in Sydney which I love. I get to read and write at my leisure and without censorship. I get the time and freedom to ponder thoughts and look at things in an alternate light, such as this new perspective. Thank you.

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