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 helps me. “Stay or get?” This is a simple question I ask myself frequently that helps me quite a bit. The point of the question is to ask myself whether I want to “stay” where I am/as I am, or if I should “get” moving toward something else. For example, do I want to stay doing what I’m doing physically or do something to get stronger or faster? Do I want to stay where I’m at in business or get working on ways to improve my service and profitability? Essentially, I want to ponder whether what I’m doing is my best effort or whether it could or should be improved.
To some, this may seem like a silly thing. However, I can tell you from experience that complacency sets in faster than you’d imagine. This happens physically, mentally, in relationships, in businesses, and more. If you are not careful, you will wake up one day to find that you’ve slid down the hill rather than continuing to climb it. Therefore, ask yourself regularly whether you want to stay where you are or get moving toward something better.
Something I do. I am a huge fan of the Rocky movies. Most of you have seen when he runs the steps in Philadelphia and reaches the top, he raises his hands overhead in triumph. I always thought that was inspiring, so for years now whenever I finish a grueling run, workout, superset, or anything else; I raise my hands just like that. The reason I do so is because it trains my mind and body not to seek the comfort of rest by placing my hands on my knees or sitting down. In short, it strengthens me physically and mentally because when my body tells me I’m tired, I act triumphant.
This same premise applies to daily life. Your toughest challenges in relationships, business, personal matters, and more can make you feel like quitting. You will want to give up, lie on the floor, or stop moving. Instead, make the decision to keep going, endure hardships, refuse to have a pity party, and make the most of your situation and opportunities. Those actions are the equivalent of raising your arms overhead in triumph and will lead to successes you once thought unattainable.
A lesson I have learned in chiropractic. Most of the patients I encounter are wonderful, nice, respectful, and enjoyable to be around. However, there are always people that come to me who are not. Many of them are negative, unkind, disrespectful, standoffish, and more. Interestingly, these same people often make a big deal to me that they may not come back. They try to hold it over my head in a manner that suggests they want me to cater to them in a way I don’t to my other patients. This never bothers me because their presence does not bring value to my business and it’s fine if they leave.
Whether in chiropractic or your personal life, toxic people will bring you down. They will never be happy, satisfied, or reciprocate your efforts, affection, or love. It will never be worth your time, energy, or money to deal with them. When people such as this come into your life, let them leave. You will add far more to your life by subtracting them from it.
Something I love. I’m a huge Gordon Ramsey fan and enjoy watching him on various shows. One of the things I enjoy and respect most about him is his insistence on high standards for any chef or restaurant he works with. This includes the quality, temperature, taste, and appearance of food. It also holds true with cleanliness, business practices, interactions with customers, and much more.
This is something I feel we should all utilize in our lives and our endeavors. If our standards are low, we are not holding ourselves accountable and will be performing at a low level. Conversely, if we have high standards, we are setting ourselves up for success. It does not mean that we will succeed instantly. However, it sets a tone that when we fail, we will do whatever necessary to get better. As we repeat that process, our results will improve and soon, we will experience more success.
Some quotes I love.
“True friends are like stars; you can only recognize them when it’s dark around you.” – Bob Marley
“Whoever is trying to bring you down is already below you.”
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” – Mark Twain