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.
Something I noticed. Last week, I was helping someone load items into their car when I noticed the trunk was completely full. They told me everything had been thrown in there on one of the most traumatic days of their life, and they hadn’t opened it since. Months had passed because it had become a painful reminder of what happened. As we cleaned it out together, it struck me how often we do the same thing in our own lives. Instead of facing something difficult, we close the lid and hope it goes away.
The problem is that what we avoid often gains power over us. A difficult conversation, painful memory, or unresolved problem can quietly grow until it leaves us feeling stuck. I’ve certainly been guilty of this, but I’ve learned that the sooner I face what I’m avoiding, the quicker it loses its grip on me. It’s rarely pleasant, but it’s almost always liberating. Whatever is sitting in the “trunk” of your life, don’t leave it there. Deal with it as soon as possible so you can move forward.
Something that helps. Scientific research suggests our minds are especially impressionable during the first few minutes after we wake up because our subconscious barrier is lowered. While a positive morning won’t guarantee a perfect day, and a negative one won’t ruin it, how we begin often sets the tone for what follows. That’s why I try to avoid starting my day in a state of chaos, negativity, or distraction. A calm, intentional start gives me a much better chance of handling whatever comes next.
Everyone’s morning routine will look different, and that’s fine. The goal isn’t to copy someone else’s habits but to find a routine that puts you in a better frame of mind. It might be getting up without hitting snooze, spending a few minutes in prayer or gratitude, exercising, getting a few things done, or simply enjoying a quiet moment before the day begins. Employing a few of these small habits consistently can have a profound, cumulative effect, I promise you. While we can’t control everything the day brings, we can affect how we choose to begin it. Just like any event, a good start often leads to a better finish.
An important principle. When I used to run ultramarathons, certain races allowed runners to shorten their distance during the event. If you signed up for 100 miles, you could drop down to 50 or if you entered the 50-mile race, you could finish the 50K instead. After months of training, I was always surprised by how many people chose a shorter distance once things became difficult. It always reminded me of how important it is not to give yourself an easy out.
When we build an escape hatch into our goals, we tend to use it because our minds are wired to seek comfort and avoid discomfort. When things get hard, our thoughts will tell us to slow down, quit, or settle for less. The problem is that most of the good stuff tends to be found on the other side of that resistance. Instead of seeing difficulty as a sign to stop, view it as evidence that you’re on the path to something worthwhile. Expect your mind to look for an escape, but don’t give it one. Persevering in those difficult moments is often the difference between success and regret.
A great business lesson. I have many friends who own businesses as chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and other healthcare professionals. One of the most common mistakes I see is undervaluing their services because they’re afraid of being rejected. While that fear is understandable, consistently accepting less than they’re worth only creates stress, erodes confidence, and slowly destroys them financially. I believe this exact principle also applies to life. The choices we make most consistently either help us grow or slowly put us out of business.
If someone offered you $1 million, would you willingly accept $10,000 instead? Of course not. Yet we often do the equivalent in our relationships, health, careers, and personal standards by settling for less than we know we’re capable of. The first and most overlooked step is believing you’re worthy of something better. Second, is asking whether your decisions are driven by fear or by growth. Every time you consistently accept less than your worth, you reinforce that standard. Raise your expectations, act with confidence, and refuse to pursue behaviors that slowly put you out of business in the areas of life that matter most.
Some quotes I Love.
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” – Douglas Adams
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” – Muhammad Ali
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