On Fridays I like to share experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant. I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.
Something that resonated with me. I listened to someone speak this week about the differences between “trying and training.” Trying is wanting a result but not outlining any specific steps to get there. For example, saying that you want to try to eat better, exercise more, or behave differently is great but tends to fail the second it becomes even slightly challenging. Training is when you have a goal that you are taking consistent action steps toward achieving. You are following a plan toward an accomplishment, so you take the necessary steps in effort, equipment, and time management to get there.
If you have found yourself struggling on the path toward a goal, it is likely because you have only been “trying.” You want it, but you aren’t putting the right plan of action into place to achieve it. I have made this mistake at times throughout my lifetime. Now, if something is important to me, I take a different path. First, I outline my goal as specifically as possible and then break it down in terms of the time it will take, effort it will require, knowledge or equipment I will need, and more. If you want amazing results, start training instead of trying.
Something I believe. In life, there is consumption and production. Consumption is the things we buy from essentials to the toys we want to own or possess. Production is what we create such as our personal impact on others, friendships, and relationships. Our society puts a premium on consumption and minimizes production, but I believe there should be a better balance.
Obviously, it is important to have the things we need from such as housing, food, and insurance. However, a focus on consumption brings our attention to attaining and flaunting things we really don’t need so that we can impress people we don’t care about. I like technology, toys, and gadgets as much as most, but I try to maintain my focus on what I produce as a father, husband, doctor, friend, coach, and leader. If I can manage to uplift those around me, that will be rewarding to me and valuable to my circle of influence. Give thought to how much you produce in life versus what you consume.
An important distinction. I spoke to someone recently going through tough times that referred to themselves as “broken.” To me, becoming broken is when you refuse to go on, quit, and accept things as they are. For that reason, most people even in their worst times are not broken, they’re just “banged up.” That is the term I like to associate with times of great mental or physical pain or challenge that often seem insurmountable.
I have suffered through some tough times in life. When I was younger, I would allow them to control me and would essentially “break.” As I got older, I faced harder and more serious challenges but had developed a different mindset. Now, even in my worst times I have confidence that no matter what happens, I will go on. I might have to deal with physical pain, sadness over the loss of someone I love, uncertainty, or some unforeseen circumstance; but I will continue onward and will not break. The next time you feel life closing in on you, remind yourself that you will not be broken, you’re only banged up and it will get better somehow.
Something I’m excited for. I have a friend that recently opened a chiropractic practice. He is an excellent adjuster and clinically competent but is new in business and struggling. He’d asked me for guidance, and I told him we would start having a weekly phone or Zoom meeting to discuss business ideas.
I get excited to collaborate with people that are younger in their careers than me because I enjoy sharing the knowledge I have attained. Teaching aspects of my life or talents I possess to someone else helps me gain a greater grasp and expertise of the material. Furthermore, it energizes me when I interact with people that are just beginning to climb the ladder to success. Usually, they are more willing to try new things, consider different approaches, and have time and energy to burn. That carries over to me by reminding me of how far I have come, rekindling some of the passion and drive it took to get there, and helping me to gain new insights. If you are new to an endeavor, seek out someone with experience because I promise, it will benefit both of you.
Some quotes I love.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius
“You can’t help where you were born and you may not have much to say about where you die, but you can and you should try to pass the days in between as a good man.”
“Learning the distinction between ‘help’ and ‘rescue’ is one of the most important lessons in your child’s course on responsibility.” – Brandi MacDonald