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 lesson. In chiropractic school I took a board review class taught by an incredibly knowledgeable doctor who had previously worked with NASA. During a discussion on nutrition, I was amazed by how deep his understanding went. Then, almost jokingly, he said, “If you’re wondering why I know so much but look like this, it’s because I eat like a pig.” It caught me off guard, but it drove home a point I’ve never forgotten; knowledge by itself doesn’t create results. You can understand everything there is to know, but without action, it has no real value.
Most of us already know what we should be doing in many areas of life whether it’s taking care of our health, having a tough conversation, or following through on responsibilities. The gap isn’t usually in awareness; it’s in execution. There’s great frustration that comes from poor outcomes when you know you could have done better. This is especially true when the solution was within your control all along. Acting on what you know may bring temporary discomfort, but it’s far less painful than living with regret. Progress comes from doing, not just knowing and the sooner we start acting, the greater our results will be.
Something I believe. Through endurance running and other aspects of my life I have learned that success often comes down to two simple abilities – handling pain and managing boredom. It may not sound profound, but there is almost nothing meaningful you can pursue that doesn’t require both. Pain shows up in the form of setbacks, failures, and unexpected challenges. In those moments, it’s easy to take things personally or become discouraged. The key is to stay steady, accept what’s happening, and focus on solutions rather than emotions. The more you can face discomfort without losing direction, the more resilient and capable you become.
Boredom, on the other hand, is found in the repetition of daily habits, routines, and consistent efforts that rarely feel exciting. These are the unglamorous areas that most people struggle to maintain but are essential for progress. Also, they are often the very things that separate those who improve from those who stall. If something is painful, learn to move through it. If something is boring, decide to embrace and repeat it. Mastering both allows you to stay consistent when others fall away, and that ultimately leads to growth far beyond what you might expect.
Something I loved. I recently came across a quote in a running book that really stuck with me, “Never make a decision on an uphill.” The premise is that when things are at their hardest, we are most tempted to make quick decisions to escape the discomfort. In running, that might mean wanting to quit halfway up a brutal climb. In life, it shows up when we’re stressed, emotional, or overwhelmed and feel the urge to make a drastic change just to find relief. The problem is that decisions made in those moments are often driven by temporary feelings rather than clear thinking. This can lead to regret.
Just like a tough hill, difficult moments in life are temporary, even if they don’t feel that way at the time. The key is to focus on getting through the challenge first. Finish the conversation, complete the day, get past the stressful moment and then evaluate your next step when you’re calm and clear-headed. When your heart rate settles, both physically and mentally, your perspective improves. This approach protects you from making impulsive choices you may regret and helps you respond with intention rather than emotional reaction. You don’t have to decide everything in the hardest moment and sometimes the smartest move is simply to keep going until the ground levels out.
An analogy I like. Through years of avid, daily reading I’ve come to feel that life should mirror the way we approach books. The first lesson is simple; life is too short to continue reading a bad book. If I start something that doesn’t hold my interest or seems like a waste of time, I move on. The same principle applies to life. If you find yourself stuck in situations, routines, or even relationships that drain you and offer no growth or fulfillment, it’s okay to pivot. Not everything is meant for you and recognizing that isn’t failure, it’s awareness. Making a change can open the door to something far more aligned with who you are and where you want to go.
Next, every good book has chapters that are difficult or uncomfortable to get through. There are moments that feel slow, frustrating, or even disappointing, but we don’t stop reading because of one bad chapter. We also never hit a bad chapter and keep reading it repeatedly, we simply turn the page and wait for it to improve. Life should be the same. We all face setbacks, make mistakes, and go through periods that feel heavy. The key is not to stay stuck there. Growth comes from allowing ourselves to move forward, learn from those moments, and take the actions that lead to a better next chapter. Your story doesn’t improve by dwelling on the low points, it progresses when you decide to keep going.
Some quotes I Love.
“You said you would, you didn’t. That’s the problem. Not time or strategy. Do it or stop saying it.”
“Dreams are only dead when you decide to wake up…don’t.” – Gary Vaynerchuck