Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot
On Fridays, I like to share experiences from my week—both with patients and in my personal life—that have left a meaningful impact. My hope is that these reflections offer you something of value, a bit of insight or encouragement that resonates with your own journey and inspires you in some way.
A great reminder. Several times this week I heard people utter a phrase that caught my attention. They all said “that’s just how I am.” In each case, it was used to justify behavior that clearly wasn’t serving the person or those around them. More than anything, it sounded like resignation and a way to avoid accountability by labeling a habit as permanent. The problem with that mindset is that it shuts the door to growth. When we define ourselves by our worst tendencies, we stop giving ourselves permission to improve, and we settle for less than we’re capable of.
The truth is, most of what we classify as “who we are” is simply what we’ve repeatedly allowed and reinforced over time. Change starts with honesty and asking whether our current behaviors align with the person we desire to be. If the answer is no, then there’s an opportunity to raise our standards and take ownership of doing things differently. Growth doesn’t require perfection, but it does take responsibility. Instead of accepting limitations as fixed, we can challenge them. “That’s just how I am” doesn’t have to be the end of the story, it can be the start of something better.
Something important. There are two simple but powerful questions I believe we should ask ourselves regularly, “Who is my team?” and “Am I making that team better?” Your “team” consists of the people who matter most including family, friends, coworkers, and anyone who depends on you or is impacted by your actions. Once you clearly define who those people are, the focus naturally shifts. It’s no longer just about what you want in the moment, but about how your choices affect something bigger than yourself. That perspective creates purpose and direction in how you handle each day.
It’s easy to drift toward decisions that feel good right now and provide comfort, convenience, or short-term satisfaction. Yet, those choices don’t always strengthen us or the people around us. Asking whether your actions are making your team stronger adds a valuable filter to your decision-making. It encourages discipline, accountability, and long-term thinking. I believe it also invites you to consider legacy and whether you are acting in ways you’d want repeated by those who follow you. No one gets it right every time, but consistently returning to these questions helps align your actions with what truly matters, making you and your “team” better.
Something I liked. I heard a phrase this week that resonated with me, “for every level, there’s a new devil.” The idea is that as you grow, improve, and get closer to meaningful goals, new challenges naturally appear. Progress doesn’t remove all obstacles it often introduces more complex ones. In my experience, those challenges are rarely external alone. More often, they show up internally, in the form of doubt, hesitation, and uncertainty. Growth requires you to step into unfamiliar territory, and that’s exactly where the greatest resistance tends to live.
Thoughts like “Am I ready?”, “Can I really do this?”, or “What if I fail again?” can creep in right when you’ve built momentum. That internal dialogue can stall progress if you’re not prepared for it. The key is to recognize those thoughts for what they are, a normal part of leveling up. Respond by focusing on how far you’ve come, taking pride in your progress, and staying connected to your larger goal. Confidence isn’t something you wait for; it’s built through action and perspective. As you approach any greater level, you will always face a new devil. Be prepared to win that battle.
An analogy I like. Though I own a business and focus on numbers daily, I hated math in school. I remember sitting down at a test, looking at a page full of problems, and feeling overwhelmed before I even began. It wasn’t just one question; it was the weight of all of them at once. Life often feels the same way. Family responsibilities, health concerns, finances, work demands, etc. can all pile up and create a level of stress that feels paralyzing if we try to process everything at once. The problem isn’t the number of challenges we face; it’s trying to carry them all simultaneously.
The solution is simpler than it seems – handle one problem at a time. Just like a test, you don’t solve every question at once, you focus on one, complete it, and move forward. As you do, momentum slowly builds and the overall situation becomes more manageable. Some problems will require more time, knowledge, or help, and that’s okay. That’s where learning, seeking guidance, and developing better processes come into play. Progress is less about having all the answers immediately and more about consistently addressing what’s in front of you. When you shift your focus from handling everything at once to one thing at a time, you’ll find your effectiveness increases, confidence grows, and stress begins to decrease.
Some quotes I Love.
“Only those that see the invisible can do the impossible.”
“Tearing you down was supposed to be their way up, and they’re still not up.” – Eric Thomas