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 good reminder. As I finished a tough workout this week, I realized I had forgotten to start my watch to track it. For a moment, I was frustrated as if the effort somehow didn’t “count.” It wasn’t the workout itself; it was the idea that it hadn’t been recorded or seen. Then I caught myself and laughed. I rarely even go back and look at my workout data, so why would I even care? That moment served as a powerful reminder of how easy it is to shift our focus from doing the work to documenting it.
At the end of the day, what truly matters is whether we’ve done what we know we should do. Talking about it, posting it, or getting recognition for it can feel rewarding, but those things don’t create progress. External validation might give a quick dopamine boost, but it doesn’t replace discipline, consistency, and execution. The real question is whether we followed through on what we set out to do. When the answer is yes that should be enough. When we learn to value the work itself over the attention it brings, we build a level of integrity and consistency that leads to lasting results.
Something I was taught. A lesson that has remained with me came from a highly successful attorney I knew years ago in Boston. He once explained that while he was paid well for his work, money was never what drove his performance in the moments that mattered most. In fact, he said that when you truly give everything you have and attach your name to something, the outcome becomes far more important than the paycheck. People often assume that high compensation leads to detachment. In reality, those who take pride in their work care deeply about the results they produce. His perspective was that excellence isn’t fueled by what you earn, it’s powered by the standard you hold yourself to.
After two decades in my own profession, I’ve found that to be completely true. Of course, earning a living and providing for my family matters, but when I’m working with patients, that’s not where my focus is. My attention remains on doing everything I can to help them feel better, move better, and live better. That level of care and commitment is what defines the quality of the work and then results tend to follow. If the focus were reversed, it would be noticeable and ultimately less effective. No matter your field, the principle should be to commit fully to your craft, take pride in what you produce, and prioritize doing it the right way. When you do that consistently, success becomes a natural byproduct.
A great business lesson. Early in my career, I worked as an associate chiropractor under an experienced, well-known doctor. Naturally, most patients preferred to see him, leaving me with very few opportunities at the beginning. Instead of fighting that reality, I leaned into something I could control which was my availability. I had plenty of time so I made it my goal to say “yes” where others might hesitate. I took on difficult cases, worked less desirable hours, accepted last-minute patients, and handled situations that weren’t always ideal. Over time, those small opportunities began to add up. What started as a way to simply gain experience eventually snowballed into a thriving practice, even culminating in recognition as “Best Chiropractor.” That is something I never would have expected when I first began.
That experience taught me that success often comes to those willing to do what others won’t, especially early on. Paying your dues isn’t glamorous, and usually requires leaving your comfort zone, setting aside pride, and embracing inconvenience. However, those moments possess a ton of potential for growth. Too often, people want better results without being willing to endure the temporary discomfort required to get there. Availability isn’t just about time, it’s about openness to opportunity, even when it doesn’t look appealing at first. If you stay willing, consistent, and open to the process, those early challenges can become the very foundation of long-term success.
Something I do. Recently, I found myself in several situations where people approached me emotionally charged, upset, and not entirely rational about issues that barely involved me. My first instinct in those moments is always to stay calm and respond with clarity rather than emotion. Sometimes that works and the situation settles, other times it doesn’t. In instances where it seems the goal isn’t resolution but escalation, I’ve learned that continuing to engage is futile. In fact, it often only fuels the problem rather than solving it. In those cases, I rely on another tactic.
In situations such as these I choose not to react at all. This is not done out of avoidance, but out of understanding. When someone is looking to argue rather than communicate, engaging only gives more energy to the conflict. Just like a fire needs oxygen to grow, unnecessary battle needs participation to continue. This doesn’t mean I would ever ignore valid concerns because those deserve attention and respect. However, when the interaction becomes unproductive and emotionally driven, stepping back is often the most effective response. Sometimes the strongest move isn’t what you say, it’s what you choose not to engage in.
Some quotes I Love.
“Accept people as they are but place them where they belong. You are the CEO of your life. Hire, fire, and promote accordingly.”
“Every lion starts as a cub. Small, raw, and unsure; learning by watching the pack. Then one day, the cub becomes the lion, but only if he walks among the lions.”