04/12/2025
What if one tiny shift in language could change the way you feel about your entire life?
In episode 88, I speak with — magician, speaker, resilience & empowerment coach, and author of *Playing the Hand You’re Dealt* (with a foreword by Jamie Lee Curtis).
And he shared a mindset reframe backed by psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural science:
👉 Replace “I *have* to” with “I *get* to.”
It sounds simple… but here’s why it works:
🔸 “Have to” activates pressure.
Your brain interprets it as obligation, threat, or burden. The task feels heavier, resistance goes up, and motivation drops.
🔸 “Get to” activates privilege and agency.
It shifts the brain toward gratitude, autonomy, and intrinsic motivation — all scientifically linked to improved wellbeing and performance.
🔸 Over time, this small shift rewires your cognitive framing, reducing stress and increasing your sense of capability and control.
As John puts it:
> “If you think ‘have to,’ it’s a chore.
> If you think ‘get to,’ it’s a privilege.”
It’s a micro habit with macro impact — and it’s entirely in your hands.
🎧 Listen to the full episode with John Kippen to explore:
• how micro-shifts reshape your identity
• why creativity and imagination decline in adulthood — and how to reclaim them
• resilience tools that actually work
• why being different is your superpower
Link in bio or comment here and I’ll send it to you.
