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.
A simple tip. Something I do each day is to drink at least 20-30 ounces of water first thing each morning. Your body is 50% water and your brain 70%, which should tell you how important this is.
Drinking water first thing helps re-hydrate the body after sleeping, increases alertness, helps muscles feel looser and more flexible, and allows the body to shed toxins. Before you get to your morning coffee, try drinking at least twenty ounces of filtered water once you get up. I promise you will notice positive changes!
Something I’ve been enjoying. My wife and I have been watching “The Bear” which is a fictional show about a world-renowned chef coming back to run a struggling family restaurant he inherited after the death of his brother. Though it is a work of fiction, there are themes within the show that I enjoy.
First, the chef begins by implementing specific processes and procedures. These are simple but vital. They involve cleanliness, steps to follow, time checks, and checkpoints along the way to make sure things are finished. What I enjoy about seeing these implemented on the show, (and true in real life) is they lead to better individual work, greater quality of production collectively, and finally to more success within the business. I believe these principles can and will work in any setting. Set the tone from the top, communicate what must be achieved, create steps that lead to quality and quality control, and then eventually remarkable things will happen.
Something I believe. “I was too tired,” “It was so hot,” “It was really hilly,” “I was dog sitting,” “It’s a lot of work,” “Someone else should have done it,” “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.” These are a few excuses I’ve heard over the past week for assorted reasons. As you read them to yourself, did any of them wow you? Of course not.
There is a saying I love “No one cares, work harder” that I remind myself of constantly. I believe that we must constantly work and train ourselves not to make excuses. This is because they are a waste of time and energy, and ultimately no one really cares to hear them. Excuses drive you down a path where lower performance, standards, and expectations are acceptable. Instead of making excuses, accept full responsibility for everything and tell yourself that no matter what, you will find a way.
A good reminder. Last week, one of my son’s seemed frustrated with football. Nothing major had happened but I could tell that he was in a funk because I’ve been there many times myself. Often, when we hit a patch like this, we seek to find a complicated solution or way forward. I do the opposite.
In this case, I brought my son to the field and began having him do drills based on things we did when I coached him at age 9 or 10. I tailored them so that they would be relevant to his current level of competition and skill, while reminding him of where he’d come from and how far he’d come. By the time we left the field, he was smiling and feeling more confidence, which has carried over into his play over the past week.
This is a good method to follow when you’re in a rut. Go back to the beginning, remember the basics, build yourself back up, and remember who you are and what you can do!
Some quotes I love.
“Not all storms come to disrupt your life. Some come to clear your path.”
“A harmless man is not a good man. A good man is a dangerous man who has that under control.” – Jordan Peterson
“When you’re not used to being confident, confidence feels like arrogance. When you’re used to being passive, being assertive feels like aggression. When you’re not used to getting your needs met, prioritizing yourself feels selfish. Your comfort zone is not a good benchmark.” – Brandi MacDonald
“’But what can I do? I am just one person.’ Said 7 billion people.”
“6 months of focus and hard work can put you 5 years ahead in life. Don’t underestimate the power of consistency and desire.”
Want more?
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