How I get Alex to do things

It's quite simple really.
Reverse psychology.
And I don't have to get all fancy with it either. All I usually have to say is, "Oh! I want to _______" (clean up, take a nap, eat some dinner, etc.) and he immediately changes his tune.

I use this method multiple times every day and it still works. If only it could be that easy to get your kid to do what you want forever.