Dooley Noted: 12/15/2013
I like to ask my patients about their goals. You need to state it out loud and be held accountable to it.
Almost always, the number 1 statement is, “Be pain-free.”
If the goal is an extremely challenging one, I tell the patient that is the “ultimate goal”. A penultimate, preceding goal helps to inch closer to it.
It’s sometimes very difficult to recognize daily progress, when a bigger goal is being chased. So, documenting smaller ones can help demonstrate what’s been achieved until the bigger goal is conquered.
Maybe it’s a toe touch, preceding the ability to reach pain-free.
Maybe it’s a solid McGill curl-up, preceding the ability to generate tension for a deadlift.
Regardless which goal is chosen, I highly suggest dating all photographs and videos to chart one’s progress.
It’s hard to see progress on a daily basis. It’s much easier to look back over months and years to see how daily commitment pays off for the ultimate goal.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley