Prioritize Your Schedule: Transform “Got To’s” into “Get To’s”
“I must govern the clock, not be governed by it.”
- Golda Meir
Have you ever looked at your to-do list and felt a wave of dread wash over you? It’s time to change that perspective! Instead of viewing tasks as burdens, let’s focus on transforming those dreaded “Got To’s” into exciting “Get To’s.” By reshaping how we approach our daily schedules, we can find joy in even the most mundane jobs.
At first glance, the term “Got To” might seem like an obligation that drags us down. But what if we could flip that script? Every “Got To” task, whether dealing with a cranky boss or tackling a pile of laundry, is an opportunity for growth. These challenges help us move forward in life. They are stepping stones on our path to success.
Acknowledging and prioritizing these necessary tasks in our schedules can create a more balanced and fulfilling day. The key is simple: Understand your “Got To’s” first. This approach sets the foundation for everything else. Now you know the mountains that are looming in front of you. Now, we must flatten those mountains into speed bumps.
Once you’ve identified your “Got To” tasks, the magic begins! It’s time to stack your “Get To" tasks around the “Got To" tasks. “Get To’s” are uplifting tasks that make our days enjoyable, like indulging in a long-awaited breakfast, a conversation with a friend, or savoring a workout session.
The “Get To’s” can be as big as buying something for yourself or as small as enjoying a bowl of Dot’s Pretzels during a break in your day. The key is to make sure that for every “Got To,” we have several “Get To’s leading up to it and then quickly following the completion of the “Got To” task.
Example of a Productive Day
Here is an example of how I stacked one of my days last week. My primary “Got To” was completing my business spreadsheet for my tax accountant—a task I knew HAD to get done. Here’s how I structured my day:
1. Breakfast: This is my first “Get To” of the day; I always have something good ready to get me started.
2. Workout: This is my chance to push myself physically and mentally. I GET TO make this great!
3. Client Call: Connecting with one of my favorite clients always brings me joy.
4. Lunch: Leftovers from a fantastic restaurant visit; who doesn’t love an easy yet delicious meal?
5. Write for an Hour: A chance to unleash creativity before tackling the spreadsheet.
6. The Spreadsheet: (The GOT TO) Surprisingly quick since I’d laid the groundwork throughout the year!
7. Social Media Prep: Finding photos to accompany my Wisdom Wednesday and Thursday Thoughts.
8. Prepare the Mindset Lesson: A personalized lesson dealing with the week's focus for each client.
9. Watch Documentary: I always try to learn how people started at A and ended at Z. The Process!
10. Dinner: Eating with friends who always make me laugh and think deeper.
11. Reading Time: Adam Moss’s book, “The Work of Art,” is about creative individuals before bed.
Notice how the “Get To’s” surrounded that one daunting task? The balance transformed my day from what could have been overwhelming but instead was rewarding! WE get to do this for ourselves every day. Of the eleven items I listed, I had one Got To. Even the Got To became a Get To because I could reflect upon all the groups I had the opportunity to speak with and all the new lessons I had learned as I chased my passion.
Anticipation = Happiness
What makes this approach so effective? Anticipation!
A recent study showed that 90% of our happiness comes from anticipation. When you focus on what comes next—what you genuinely look forward to—you reduce anxiety about your responsibilities. Instead of seeing your day as one long, torturous march filled with obligations, you begin to view it as an adventure filled with opportunities.
The system is simple:
· Identify: Recognize your "Got To's."
· Stack: Stack your "Get To's" around those tasks.
· Anticipate: Look forward to each moment of the blessings spread throughout your day.
Hard Life
I know what you’re saying. “You had ONE “Got To” on your list; I’ve got 20 “Got To’s” on my list.” That’s fair, but maybe you didn’t read my list right. Most of my “Get To’s” could be seen as “Got To’s” on someone else’s list. Having to write for an hour, focus on listening and hearing what another person is NOT saying on the phone, find pictures that match up with a quote, or watch any boring documentary … might be seen as Got To’s for you. Still, I have set them up in my mind as “Get To” opportunities.
Let’s say you work in the health field; you have to go into the office; you have to deal with that person on your staff; you have to deal with patients; you have to do paperwork; you have to deal with traffic. All “Got To’s,” right?
Wrong? If you don’t like your profession, then change it. If this is your choice, surround these “Got To’s” with “Get To’s.” Reframe your perspective to see that going to the office allows you to see your work friends. You Get To help people who are in distress. You Get To do the paperwork so things are in order, and when they come back, you have the record at your fingertips to remind you of the last visit. You Get To listen to your favorite music, unwind, and look forward to returning to your house as you drive home.
Transform Your Days Today!
This process does not illuminate or allow you to ignore the “Got To’s.” The challenging tasks will enable us to move forward. Even within a “Got To,” there are “Get To” moments if you look closely. The completion of a “Got To” can be seen as an opportunity to celebrate the “Get To” moment by being able to move on in your work or your life.
It’s time to take control of your schedule and reshape your mindset! Understanding your “Got To’s” are not the only thing you have in front of you; instead, surround the less popular with the enjoyment of the “Get To’s” so you can transform mountains of work into mere speed bumps on your road to success.
So why not give it a shot today? List tomorrow's tasks and watch as they morph from burdens into opportunities! Remember, every challenge is just another chance for growth, and every task completed is one step closer to a happier version of yourself.
Go ahead and start stacking your Get To’s!" Your future self will thank you!
Have an amazing day!
