I never seem to know where I'm going and that's especially true in a mall. So, I usually head right for a directory. A map. And the map always has a red dot or an arrow pointing to a spot that says, "YOU ARE HERE".
And, more often than not, where I want to be is nowhere near the red dot. It's upstairs, to the left, then down a long hall then turn right again. And by the time I'm upstairs, I have to go find another map.
That's not how I used to do it though. I have my wife to thank for nudging me to find the value in a map. I used to just try to "feel" my way through the mall. I know. Sounds really stupid. But, that's just what seemed natural. "Huh. I thought Dillards was over here?"
But, you can find what you're looking for a lot faster and easier by knowing where you are. Hence, the value of the red dot.
I told you about my shoulder injury a couple of weeks ago. Well, I'm better. A lot better. Christine re-evaluated me last week and my strength is up, motion is up, really all of my numbers looked better. And I feel better.
But, the thing is, really, I just want to go back to what I was doing and I'm tempted by it everyday. Although I know where the red dot is, it doesn't mean I have to like it. It means I have to accept it. I swear that sometimes when I look at the pull up bar, it bends into a wide smile just taunting me. I catch myself thinking, "Ahhh, yeah I could try some pull ups. It'll be ok." Then, sometimes, I shake my head as if I had fleas in my brain to find a sane, rational thought.
So far, I've stuck to the plan. Done my homework. And here are some of the results in about three weeks:
- Abduction strength of the shoulder: increase of 116%
- External rotation strength of the shoulder: increase of 85%
- Strength of the supraspinatus muscle: increase of 148%
Data often serves as a red dot when you're rebuilding some part of you. It tells you where you are relative to where you want or need to be. You can't just go on feeling alone. In my case, some days, I'm not sure how much better I am since I still hurt so without the red dot, I could slip on the glasses of despair and frustration. And when you look through the lens of frustration everyday, that's what you find. You have to look through a different lens. A lens of improvement, possibility and data helps you do that.
Getting better is a process and knowing where you are physically is key. Find the red dot, build a plan, check the map again, keep going. You'll get better.
Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/quasimondo/138297060/
Did you know I have another book?
The Back Pain Toolbox: 27 Things You Can Do to Relieve Low Back Pain. I announced it a couple of months ago with a link that was good for a week. If you missed the download, you can get it
here (and this is an e-book; a download only). Feel free to share it with your friends.
I never seem to know where I'm going and that's especially true in a mall. So, I usually head right for a directory. A map. And the map always has a red dot or an arrow pointing to a spot that says, "YOU ARE HERE".
And, more often than not, where I want to be is nowhere near the red dot. It's upstairs, to the left, then down a long hall then turn right again. And by the time I'm upstairs, I have to go find another map.
That's not how I used to do it though. I have my wife to thank for nudging me to find the value in a map. I used to just try to "feel" my way through the mall. I know. Sounds really stupid. But, that's just what seemed natural. "Huh. I thought Dillards was over here?"
But, you can find what you're looking for a lot faster and easier by knowing where you are. Hence, the value of the red dot.
I told you about my shoulder injury a couple of weeks ago. Well, I'm better. A lot better. Christine re-evaluated me last week and my strength is up, motion is up, really all of my numbers looked better. And I feel better.
But, the thing is, really, I just want to go back to what I was doing and I'm tempted by it everyday. Although I know where the red dot is, it doesn't mean I have to like it. It means I have to accept it. I swear that sometimes when I look at the pull up bar, it bends into a wide smile just taunting me. I catch myself thinking, "Ahhh, yeah I could try some pull ups. It'll be ok." Then, sometimes, I shake my head as if I had fleas in my brain to find a sane, rational thought.
So far, I've stuck to the plan. Done my homework. And here are some of the results in about three weeks:
Data often serves as a red dot when you're rebuilding some part of you. It tells you where you are relative to where you want or need to be. You can't just go on feeling alone. In my case, some days, I'm not sure how much better I am since I still hurt so without the red dot, I could slip on the glasses of despair and frustration. And when you look through the lens of frustration everyday, that's what you find. You have to look through a different lens. A lens of improvement, possibility and data helps you do that.
Getting better is a process and knowing where you are physically is key. Find the red dot, build a plan, check the map again, keep going. You'll get better.
Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/quasimondo/138297060/