Shifting from “I Have To” to “I Get To” 8-21-25 - Becker Business

Summary3 min read

Becker Business Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Shifting from “I Have To” to “I Get To”
Host: Scott Becker
Date: August 21, 2025

Overview of Main Theme

In this succinct solo episode, Scott Becker explores the mindset shift from seeing daily responsibilities and obligations as things one “has to” do, to opportunities one is “lucky to get to” do. Drawing from his personal and professional experiences, Scott advocates for reframing even mundane or challenging tasks as privileges, emphasizing gratitude and positive perspective in business and life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The “I Get To” Mindset

Framing Responsibilities:
Scott opens with the essential idea: viewing obligations as privileges.

“Everything should be ‘I get to do this.’” (00:06)
Business Example:
As he prepares to deliver a keynote on ambulatory surgery center trends—a field he began his career in over 35 years ago—Scott underscores that longevity in any field, and continued opportunities to contribute, should be met with gratitude.

“I am lucky to get to do this, versus ‘I have to do this.’ … 36 years into the career, I have to look at it as so thankful that people want me to speak and to be here.” (00:44)

2. Application in Personal Life

Scott illustrates the mindset beyond business:

“I get to take care of six children, not I have to take care of six children.” (01:08)
He humorously applies it even to daily health routines:

“I’ll try and go as far as to say I get to drink 80 ounces a day to keep myself healthy. I’m not sure if I can get there, but I’m going to try versus I have to.” (01:22)

3. Daily Reminder and Reframing

The episode serves as a nudge to flip daily language from obligation to privilege.
Scott acknowledges not everything is easy to reframe, but encouragement and gratitude go a long way toward satisfaction and fulfillment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On opportunity vs. obligation:

“That’s today’s reminder: that everything ought to be framed as much as possible as ‘I get to do this’ versus ‘I have to do this.’" (01:01)
Humor in healthy habits:

“I’ll try and go as far as to say I get to drink 80 ounces of day to keep myself healthy. I’m not sure if I could get there… but I’m going to try versus I have to.” (01:22)
Parting words of gratitude:

“Thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. We are so thrilled to be here. Thank you, very, very much.” (01:39)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:06 – Introduction and theme: “I get to” vs. “I have to”
00:35 – Personal example: keynote at surgery center event
01:01 – General philosophy: reframing all obligations
01:08 – Application to family life: raising children
01:22 – Application to health: staying hydrated
01:39 – Closing gratitude

Overall Tone

The episode is candid, personal, and lightly humorous, with Scott’s characteristic warmth and practicality. His message is clear: gratitude transforms perspective, whether in business or at home.

For listeners looking for a quick jolt of motivation, or a reminder to appreciate rather than simply endure daily duties, this episode offers a straightforward and uplifting approach.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business Podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion is a reminder that everything should be I get to do this. So here's the concept and I think about this often when I'm meeting obligations that I have today. I have to give a talk on trends facing ambulatory surgery centers. In the surgery center area is the area that I first started my sort of healthcare legal career in 35 years ago. So spent a lot of time in the surgery center business a long time ago and used to know it really, really well. So today I'm scheduled to give a keynote talk at a, at a state association meeting for surgery centers. And as I get prepared for that and think about the day, I remind myself that I am lucky to get to do this versus I have to get to do this. Literally 30 plus years into the career, I guess almost 36 or so, I have to look at it as so thankful that people want me to speak and to be here and that I get the chance to do this versus viewing it as I have to do this. So, so that's today's reminder that everything ought to be framed as much as possible. And I get to do this versus I have to do this. And whatever it is, I get to take care of six children, not I have to take care of six children. You try and view every single thing as an, as an. Is an honor and a privilege versus an obligation. So that's today's perspective for the day. I'll try and go as far as to say I get to drink 80 ounces of day to keep myself healthy. I'm not sure if I could get there, but I. But I'm going to try versus I have to. In any event, thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. We are so thrilled to be here. Thank you very, very much.