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 I found interesting. I had two conversations this week with people that told me how they needed to “slow down.” In both instances, neither had much going on (basic things in my opinion) and decided to slow down by taking exercise and other healthy habits off their plate. I often hear things like this and wanted to share my thoughts.
First, there is nothing wrong with keeping a manageable schedule, but we want to make sure we prioritize the important things over busy work or wasted time. If you evaluate how you use your time, it is common to find an abundance of social media, Netflix, or activities that should have been completed quickly but were not. Next, if you are eliminating only challenging parts of your life, it is probable you are simply making excuses to avoid them. Things that challenge us usually create better results and growth, but require more effort, don’t forego them for emotional reasons or laziness.
Something that inspired me. I watched a video of man that recently completed a full Ironman race while pushing and pulling along his young adult son who had some form of a handicap. The man was probably in his 50s to 60s and was close to missing the final cutoff to be considered an official finisher. He gave it everything he had to make up time.
As he got within 10 feet or so of the finish line, he stopped pushing his son and helped him to his feet. His son was able to take a few steps with his dad helping him to walk, and they officially finished together on their feet. The crowd went crazy, and everyone focused on the young man giving him an amazing feeling no doubt. What I loved, was as this was happening, everyone forgot about the dad, and he sat down a few feet away, completely exhausted, with a contented smile on his face. The look said to me, however much effort he put into that race, it was worth it to see his son that happy. This inspired me and reminded me that in any difficult endeavor, the first place to begin is with your “why.” That “why” will push you to accomplish amazing things.
Something I recommend. I am believer that small changes can lead to huge results. Often, one single improvement is enough to create a result that can be amazing on its own, but often leads to further changes and better outcomes. One example that I recommend, remove 10-15 minutes of TV or social media time per day and replace that with something productive. For example, spend that time doing some form of exercise, reading to your child, working on something to help your business, pursuing some form of self-improvement, or any number of other positive things. After 2-3 months of using only 10-15 minutes of your day differently, those minutes will transform into something significant that you can be proud of.
A great reminder. I was up early one day this week when my youngest son came downstairs. We started talking about Christmas and I asked him if he wanted to watch an “Elf on a Shelf” movie we had, and he excitedly said yes. He crawled up on my lap and cuddled me and had lots of cute comments as we watched it together. It was really a nice time for both of us.
I mention this because my mornings are always very regimented. Everything I do is about getting things done for myself and for my family for the day ahead. Usually, I bounce from one thing to the next and though I’m not stressed, I don’t often take time to just sit and relax. This time with my son was a great reminder to me of the importance of enjoying the small moments in life. It’s important to get things accomplished, but it is just as crucial to enjoy the people around us and time with them. When you are blessed with an opportunity to create a nice memory with someone you love, take it!
Some quotes I love.
“Even in failure, hard work pays off…it teaches you discipline; it helps you respect the process and prepares you for the next time. Never let the person next to you outwork you.” – Chef Michael Symon
“Just because we may understand the reason behind someone’s behavior, doesn’t mean it’s an acceptable way for you to be treated. Knowing the ‘why’ is an explanation, not an excuse.” – Brandi MacDonald
“Friendly reminder that in three generations everyone who knew us will be dead. Including the people whose opinions stopped you from doing what you wanted all along.” – Alex Hormozi
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” Martin Luther King, Jr.