This week I caught myself saying I "have to" go out of town to
present a seminar. The terminology that I used was very negative.
Whenever you say you "have to" do something it implies that there is
an external force that is driving you; rather than an internal
decision that you have chosen the best course of action.

Dr. Stephen Covey in his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
suggests replacing "have to's" with "chose to." Using this
terminology I would have restated my exclamation with I chose to go
out of town this week to present a seminar. Motivational speaker Zig
Ziegler suggests changing "have to's" to "get to's." Using his
terminology I would have restated my statement by saying this week I
get to go out of town to present a seminar.

Now some might say it is all semantics; but the words we choose and
the words we use will determine the way we feel and what we do. Can
you see the difference between the two statements? This week I "have
to" go out of town and this week I "get to" go out of town. The
second statement is more proactive and it acknowledges the fact that
I have chosen this line of work and that I am privileged to be able
to do it. You can do the same thing. Pay attention to your
language.

The language we use shapes our attitudes which then shape our
actions. I am much more likely to enjoy the process and do a good
job if I am using the terminology I "get to." Use this in your own
practice. When was the last time that you said "I have to go to work
today?" What if you changed that statement on a regular basis to "I
get to go to work today?" Recognizing that it is a privilege to be a
nurse and to be able to help other people. Suddenly it is no longer
a shift to get through but rather a shift to enjoy – and you feel
empowered.

Empowerment is not something that somebody else gives to you.
Empowerment is a gift you give to yourself by right thoughts, right
attitudes and right actions. It is in these little actions everyday
that you will be able to change how you view yourself, your job and
the world.

Best wishes,
David W. Woodruff, MSN, RN, CNS, CEN
President, Ed4Nurses, Inc.
www.Ed4Nurses.com