In 2020, everything changed. The pandemic hit, and the world as we knew it stopped. For me, it was a time of profound challenge. 😔 As a speaker, I live for in-person events. There’s something magical about connecting with an audience in the flesh—feeling their energy, sharing stories, and lighting up a stage. But when everything went virtual, that energy disappeared, leaving me with a sense of loss.

I remember staring at my calendar in the middle of 2020. Instead of feeling excitement about the upcoming events, I found myself thinking, “I have to do this webinar.” The energy wasn’t there. I wasn’t looking forward to delivering a virtual keynote to a screen instead of people. But sometimes, life teaches us lessons when we least expect them.

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The Turning Point: A Virtual Keynote That Changed Everything

A close friend of mine, a VP at the Oakland A’s, asked me to speak to his sales team about reconnecting with purpose and staying motivated during these tough times. Even though I wasn’t thrilled at the thought of another Zoom call, I agreed. The show had to go on, right?

After the webinar wrapped up, my friend sent me a message. At first, it was the usual polite compliments. But then he shared something that hit me deep:

“My two boys, 12 and 14, were sitting in the background during your talk. Five minutes after you finished, they came up to me and asked, ‘Dad, can we talk about our purpose? How do we live with more meaning?’”

Reading that message stopped me in my tracks. These kids were now thinking about their why—something that many adults struggle with for years. That single moment made me realize: This isn’t something I have to do. This is something I get to do. I get to inspire people, even across a virtual platform.

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From “Have to” to “Get to”—The Shift That Changes Everything

That moment with the Oakland A’s sales team sparked a mindset shift that has stayed with me ever since. When I reframed my perspective from “I have to” to “I get to,” gratitude filled the spaces where dread used to live. 💡 Suddenly, even the most mundane meetings became opportunities to connect with others in meaningful ways.

Think about it—what would change if you approached your next meeting, task, or chore with the thought, “I get to do this?” It’s a small shift, but it opens the door to joy and gratitude, even in the simplest moments.

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Embrace Gratitude in Your Daily Life

The beauty of life lies in these seemingly ordinary moments. A calendar full of tasks might look overwhelming, but within each appointment lies an opportunity.

Next time you see something on your schedule that makes you groan, take a step back. What if, instead of thinking “I have to do this,” you said, “I get to do this?” That shift in perspective might just be the key to unlocking gratitude, 365 days a year.

So today, I challenge you: What will you get to do? 😊