I’ve been sick.

I’ve been sick.

The flu.

Relentless body aches.

Sinus congestion.

A throat so sore it felt like swallowing glass.

Confined to my bed, I had only rest, Netflix, and my thoughts for company.

The experience led me into a state of reflection.

I contemplated the idea of obligation versus opportunity.

Last week, I was forced to cancel all my meetings.

I relied on my incredible team to handle the responsibilities in my absence.

A colleague, overwhelmed with client calls, expressed exhaustion talking.

Ironically, I envied their ability to speak without pain, realizing how much I missed that simple capability.

This experience reminded me of a time when I broke my ankle and leg.

Navigating on crutches, I found even basic tasks like cleaning challenging.

Despite never enjoying cleaning, I longed for the ability to move freely without pain.

Similarly, before getting sick, I saw attending my daughter’s upcoming volleyball tournament as a duty.

Being ill, however, I missed her games.

It made me wish I could be there, cheering her on.

These personal moments of adversity brought clarity to a lesson I learned years ago in Zen philosophy:

We don’t HAVE to do things; we GET to do things.

Our abilities to speak, move, and be present at our children’s events are gifts, not givens.

This perspective shift is equally crucial in business.

Client meetings.

New business pitches.

Time sheets.

Something amazing happens when we look at the mundane as privileges rather than chores.

Instead of ‘I have to,’ say ‘I get to.’

Your whole perspective will change.