Coaching

There is an age-old phrase that says, “Practice makes perfect.” This refers to the idea that the more you practice and work at something, the better you get at it. But will we ever be “perfect” at it? Even experts in any field are never perfect at something. They will never know all the answers or perform flawlessly, even when they excel and are at the top of the class. There is a more recent phrase that states, “Practice makes progress.” This implies that as we do something more frequently and work at it, we will get better, but it does not have an emphasis on perfection. Has anyone ever told you that you are a perfectionist? Or “Don’t be a perfectionist?” Maybe you don’t leave the office until the project or task is “perfect.” Perhaps you spend hours perfecting a presentation, only to feel it’s still not good enough. Maybe your son or daughter gets upset with anything lower than a 100 on a test or assignment. Perhaps you stay up late, not because you are a night owl, but because you want everything to be “just right” before you go to bed. Meriam-Webster defines “perfectionism” as “a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable.” Wanting to do things well and being a perfectionist are two different things. The tricky thing about the term “perfect” is that people have different standards for what is “perfect.” I can look at a drawing and say, “Wow, that’s great!” While the artist might say, “Well, I need to work on it some more.” Someone may compliment your hair, but after spending an hour fighting with it this morning to get it “right,” you still don’t feel it’s as good as it could be. According to Verywell.com The three types of [...]

As you reach your senior years the list of surgeries you might have starts to loom. Joint replacements, intestinal explorations, and possible emergency procedures can happen. Medical practice is a marvel. Many of these surgeries save lives or give the chance for a longer period of active living, but they can take a toll on your post-surgery mental health. There can be fear going into surgery, and loneliness during the recovery period. Some surgeries have a long recovery period, possibly keeping you immobile and confined to your home or short-term care facility. There may be time required with assistive devices such as wheelchairs and walkers. Even this short-term period of reliance on others can prove challenging. Caring for your mental health at this time will help your body heal as well. Physical comfort for post-surgery mental health If you are planning on surgery, you can plan for recovery as well. Arrange your space so that you can easily access things you need. Create a station for power cords to phones and tablets. Have remotes accessible. Make sure the path to the bathroom is cleared of obstacles and find out what you may need to safely take a shower or bath. Pain management is crucial to your post-surgery mental health. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the correct medication timing and dosage. Plan to have ice packs for swelling and a heating pad for other aches and pains. Whatever healing timeline you are given, believe it. Too many people end up hurting themselves by rushing into normal life too quickly. If the doctor says it takes 6 weeks, it takes 6 weeks. The internet makes taking care of practical needs quite simple. Grocery delivery or pickup can save you time, energy, and money. Get pre-made meals in the [...]