Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot
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 share these in the hope that you might find value in them and have something that resonates with you in your life.
Something to remember. Have you ever watched a movie where the hero faces a daunting challenge, life event, or circumstance? Usually when this occurs, the character will make a vow, cool music plays, there may be some sort of montage, and you become certain it’s all going to end up fine for them. This type of thing makes for cool movies, but in real life I have found it works much differently.
When you face the toughest times in life and make a commitment to improve your circumstances, that is a great start. However, you are unlikely to feel certain of that outcome. It will still feel daunting, and you will face plenty of times when you can slip up along the way. The key is to understand that this is how it works for all of us. The secret sauce is not some emotional moment where you call your shot, and everything magically works out from that second forward. Rather, it is a quiet decision to make things better followed by the consistent and painstaking work required to make it happen.
Something I believe. When you are in the midst of an athletic competition, one of the worst things you can do is watch the scoreboard. If you do so when you’re winning, it often creates complacency that leads you to become less aggressive and lose your lead or momentum. Conversely, when you’re losing and scoreboard-watch you tend to become discouraged, lose hope, and give in to the current results with a lack of effort. While this premise holds true in athletic competitions, it is also the same in life.
The key is to continuously give your best effort regardless of circumstances. If things aren’t going well right now, they can certainly turn around if you remain diligent and keep battling. Also, when things seem great, there is no reason you must take your foot off the gas. Instead, keep hustling as if you were behind and allow things to become even better. The scoreboard of life is ever-changing so resist the temptation to alter your level of output simply because of how things may stand now.
Something that helps me. Because I have a job and career I love, routines I follow that work, and am usually upbeat and energetic; people usually assume things are always easy and smooth for me. However, I am just like everyone else and there are times when I don’t feel motivated or excited to do the things I know I must. Something I do when I feel this way is to simply tell myself, “Well I have to anyway.”
This phrase is my reminder that if I’m going to have to do something I don’t necessarily want to do, shouldn’t I just do it to the best of my abilities? For example, if I’m going to work, why wouldn’t I want to see every patient possible, do my best for them, and provide for my family? If I’m dreading a workout or project, I figure it’s best to give it all I have rather than going through the motions and feeling like a wimp the rest of the day. The point is, since you are already committed to an action, you may as well exert yourself maximally. You will never be unhappy doing so because you will feel pride and empowerment with your results (or that you at least tried your hardest). If you’re going to do it regardless, go all out and make it worth everyone’s time.
A recent interaction. I received a wonderful message from someone I love and appreciate this week. They told me that they admired my strength, that they know how much I take on for myself and loved ones, that I never complain, and that it inspires them how I never quit and always keep showing up. The message was very complimentary and allowed me to consider that my “super-power” is probably an ability to suffer and endure physically, mentally, and regardless of circumstances.
This is not the most fun or exciting ability to possess, and I’d prefer to be a business savant, an amazing chef, or something else. However, when you navigate enough challenging times, it does teach you lessons. First, I have learned that if you can remain in the fight and keep showing up, somewhere down the line, you will experience a period of glory that makes it all worthwhile. Second, whatever pain you may face is not personal, always subsides, and leaves you stronger if you allow it to. Finally, as someone that used to be weak and fold at any adversity, trust me, you have what it takes to be a person that fights through the worst times if you allow yourself.
Some quotes I Love.
“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on, it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
“Excellence is not something that is automatic. The same team doesn’t win the Super Bowl every year.” – Eric Thomas