At a youth camp with 600 teens, I needed to get twelve tired, frustrated, and belligerent teenagers to do something they don't want to do. It was like pushing a rope. It's almost impossible to change their attitude.
We had "K.P." Which means that we had "Kitchen Patrol." Uh huh. Wash the camps' dishes, scrub pots and pans, and clean all tables and chairs.
As we entered the cafeteria, another youth worker and his crew were already there to join us - and they were ecstatic! I'm not kidding. They were having a blast.
I asked the youth leader how he changed their attitude.
"Oh, that's easy," he said. "I explained that they didn't HAVE to do K.P., but they GET to. Because...there are children in remote areas who do not get to have a cafeteria, full meals, and the chance to do this. Our teens get to!"
Life-changing.
I've used it with my kids, co-workers, and even (with caution) my wife. Like this:
- You don't HAVE to clean your room - you GET to. Some don't have rooms.
- You don't HAVE to go to work - you GET to. Some don't have jobs.
- You don't HAVE to kiss me - you GET... okay, that didn't exactly work with my wife. (nothing's perfect!)
You don't have to share this with your team, friends, and family...you GET to!
