A few weeks ago I wrote this blog on small steps towards progress that resonated with many. I thought it was time for an update and to expand on that. 10 weeks post knee surgery and the progress continues and it’s still slow! An excellent opportunity to practice patience though and reflect on some of the lessons I’ve learned, here’s 3 that are sitting with my right now that I think translate well into life.
Small is still impactful. It’s true that the small things often make the biggest difference and when we’re recovering from anything, small is often all that we can do to start. Whether it’s burnout, physical or mental illness or simply recharging from a busy week. Small steps still make a difference and is often the best starting point. It’s also more doable. Can’t walk around the block, sit in the sun and have a cup of tea outside. Can’t meditate, think of 3 things you’re grateful for. It’s part of my self care plan A and plan B method. This week I’ve been reflecting on my gym time for my rehabilitation. It’s now at about 30 minutes but started at 5 minutes. We’d never normally think there’s time to go to the gym or do exercise if we’ve got under an hour. But what could we do in 5-10 minutes? A few stretches, a walk around the block, sit on an exercise bike? All of this is better than nothing. The funny thing is if we go to the gym for 5-10 minutes we’ll often find we do more whilst we’re there. Getting there is often the hardest part. I’ll now find myself doing upper body weights that don’t impact my knee just because I’ve been there and got inspired by my short rehab routine the physio has given me.
That brings me to the next lesson – building the team around you. Since surgery I’ve added a team of professionals to my list of one (the surgeon) help my recovery. A physio, my Osteo, a sports massage therapist as well as my doctor and orthopaedic specialist. There’s also the ACC team that keep an eye on my return to work plan too. Similar to my business I have a team of people around me. My admin staff, my designer, my accountant, my mentors, book editors and printers. Who’s in your team? Whatever your goal or your personal and professional development plans, who supports you with that? Where are the gaps and who might be the best person to fill that gap? Is it a health coach, a business professional or maybe friends and family?
And finally it’s making time for the goals we’re working on. I’ve had to devote time in the week around my work for my rehab, whether it’s seeing health professionals or doing my rehab exercises it’s become a job in itself!
Devote time to make progress, make time for what matters. So often our dreams can be on the back burner and we never get there. They always seem off in the distance – when I retire, when I get richer, when the kids leave home. If we don’t make time to take action we’ll never make progress. Even if we devote just one hour a month to think about those dreams it’s a start and once the ball is rolling every thing becomes easier. Whether it’s to write an action plan, start some study, research your OE or look at pictures of that ideal house. Make time and you’ll make progress.
So building a support team around us is key, as is making time to make progress and of course small steps. I’d add to this as we do progress to celebrate those milestones and the small wins – this keeps us motivated on the journey and helps us acknowledge how far we’ve come.