Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot
On Fridays I like to share some of the experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant in some way. Hopefully, you find value in them.
Something I’ve been thinking about? As you all know, Mary and I are expecting a daughter any day now (we may even have her by the time you read this). What I’ve been thinking about is how there is no greater example of a miracle than a baby. Two cells from separate people come together and eventually form a fully functioning human being. The mother and father don’t need to even understand how it works but those 2 cells become 4, then 16 and before you know it there are organs, bones, hair, and everything else that we need. It’s something that happens all the time, and we tend to take it for granted but when you really take the time to think about it, it is truly a miracle.
Something I heard recently that resonated with me? I was listening to a podcast this week and the guest mentioned that if you wait to be motivated, you will end up getting nothing done. I thought this was accurate and important. Motivation is a wonderful thing and can be very useful. However, it usually fades quickly at which point all that will remain is your level of commitment, dedication, and reasons of “why”. If we only focus on what we’re excited to do, we will unfortunately rarely progress toward our goals. I remember last year the day before I ran the Leadville 100 there was an athlete meeting and the race director said “motivation is great but it will only get you to the first aid station (13 miles away), after that you’re going to need to rely on grit and determination.” That was true of that race and the sentiment is certainly true in life.
A health fact I think is important? Recently, I was reading about “metabolic health.” Being metabolically healthy means that someone has ideal levels of blood sugar, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and waist circumference WITHOUT using medications. According to the CDC, only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy. Each of the factors outlined above can be helped through better habits or worsened through poor habits so it’s completely under our control how we rate on this scale.
You’re a coach, do you give participation trophies? I got this question twice this week and as a highly competitive person and a football coach I certainly have some thoughts on it. In my experience, anything that is simply handed to a kid (or adult) has no value. For example, when I compete in my ultra-marathons, I receive a medal for finishing that I value but if I got it just for showing up to race, I wouldn’t. Therefore, when I coach, I take a similar approach.
What I believe resonates more than any trophy, especially with kids is individual recognition for an accomplishment. When I coach, I have 3 WWE replica belts that I give out each week and that the kids get to keep until the next game. I may give them out for MVP’s, for a good play, for consistency, for improvement or for any number of reasons but they are given for a legitimate accomplishment. Not everyone gets a belt each week so when they do, they are thrilled. Throughout the season I will always find a reason to award each kid a belt at least once. At the end of the season, I also give out awards I create which recognize the boys for something unique about their play and I compare them to a specific NFL player as well. Though I am given participation medals to give the boys I never use them for that purpose. Instead, when I hand my players an award, they know I am not patronizing them, that they have earned it and that they should be proud.
Some quotes I love?
“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” – Jim Rohn
“Once you carry your own water you will learn the value of every ounce.”
Want more?
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- To see previous Friday 5 Spots, visit www.newbodychiro.com and go to “blog”
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