This month I’m sharing two books and a podcast that have helped me both personally to achieve goals and helped patients create systems that they too have found useful.

The concepts from the books break away from the assumption that all we have to do is give patients exercises to do that will help in the recovery process. 

The podcast is a 2-part series and both are so entertaining and enlightening. I hope you take the time to listen to them both.

The Motivation Myth by Jeff Haden- book

Motivation is finite and no matter how committed you are to achieving a goal, success is likely to be limited if you rely on it too much. 

As clinicians, it’s easy to prescribe exercises to achieve a goal but we all know that having exercises to do and doing them can be poles apart.

After reading this book, it made me consider whether more time should be spent helping patients create long term habits rather than giving them a sheet of exercises and expecting them to be done. 

This book challenges the conventional wisdom that motivation is the key to achieving success.

Here are the main points from it:

• Haden argues that instead of waiting for motivation to strike, individuals should focus on building habits that lead to consistent action and progress
• This philosophy can be applied to managing patients struggling with doing exercises, as it encourages a shift in mindset from relying on motivation to developing consistent exercise habits
• To help patients build these habits, it’s important to set achievable goals, break down exercises into manageable tasks, and provide positive reinforcement for progress. It more important to get something done even if it’s only one exercise rather than failing to do the whole program
• Haden emphasises the importance of accountability and social support, which can be achieved through tracking progress and partnering with a trainer, exercise buddy, or support group. I believe there is an opportunity here for clinicians to consider how they could implement support groups as a service provided by the clinic
• In addition to practical strategies, Haden’s book also provides insight into the psychological and emotional factors that contribute to success, such as the power of belief and the role of intrinsic motivation

Overall, “The Motivation Myth” offers valuable lessons for managing patients struggling with doing exercises by emphasising the importance of habit-building, goal-setting, accountability, and social support. By focusing on these key factors, you can help your patients overcome the barriers to exercise and achieve long-term success in their health and fitness goals.

Mindset by Carol Dweck- book

I read this book a few years ago now and found it extremely valuable both personally and professionally. 

In the book Dweck explains both the fixed and growth mindset and how the thinking patterns of both influence choice especially when doing challenging things.

Here are the highlights from the book:

• The book suggests that individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to be successful than those with a fixed mindset
• Physiotherapists can use the principles of mindset to help patients struggling with treatment adherence by listening to the language they use when talking about their ability to do exercises
• Patients with a fixed mindset may believe that their abilities are set in stone and cannot be changed, leading them to give up easily on treatment or not put in the effort needed to adhere to it
• Patients with a growth mindset, on the other hand, believe that their abilities can be developed and improved over time with effort and practice
• Physiotherapists can help patients develop a growth mindset by emphasising the importance of effort and progress, rather than just outcomes
• They can encourage patients to set goals and celebrate their progress towards them, rather than just focusing on the end result
• Physiotherapists can also help patients reframe setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth, rather than as failures
• By helping patients develop a growth mindset, physiotherapists can increase their motivation and willingness to adhere to treatment, leading to better outcomes
• Physiotherapists can also use the principles of mindset to improve their own practice by adopting a growth mindset themselves and being open to learning and feedback. This was a game changer for me as I was brought up with a fixed mindset. Changing mindset is achievable and can be life changing

Overall, the book “Mindset” provides valuable insights into how mindset can influence behaviour and success, and can be a useful tool for physiotherapists looking to improve patient outcomes and their own practice.

Dweck has another book that helps parents teach their children to have a growth mindset. 

Brene Brown interview with James Clear part 1 & 2 (Author of Atomic Habits) – Podcast

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

This is a 2-part interview (links below) that I found both entertaining and very informative. I have Clear’s book “Atomic Habits” and it’s well worth the read, but I really loved listening to his philosophy. I hope you find it as valuable as I did both from a personal and professional view point.

Here are the main points as a summary from both podcasts:

• Brene Brown and James Clear discussed the importance of building habits to stay motivated to exercise. Hence the quote from the podcast above. I love it!
• Clear emphasised the importance of making small, sustainable changes to one’s routine rather than trying to overhaul everything at once
• He suggested starting with something that’s easy and enjoyable, like going for a short walk or doing a few minutes of any enjoyable exercise
• He recommended finding a way to make exercise social, whether it’s joining a group fitness class or finding a workout buddy. Perhaps this could be at your clinic
• Brown and Clear discussed the importance of self-compassion and not beating oneself up for missing a workout or not meeting a goal
• Clear suggested reframing negative self-talk into a more positive and compassionate inner dialogue
• He also recommended focusing on the process of building a habit rather than the outcome, and celebrating small victories along the way. This is similar to the concept from “The Motivation Myth”
• Clear emphasised the importance of having a clear and specific goal in mind, as well as a plan for how to achieve it. A goal without a ‘how’ is a dream
• Brown and Clear discussed the role of identity in building habits, and how it can be helpful to identify oneself as someone who exercises regularly
• Clear recommended keeping track of one’s progress and using that as motivation to continue
• They discussed the role of external factors, such as environment and social support, in building habits and staying motivated to exercise
• Clear suggested finding ways to make exercise more convenient and accessible, whether it’s by finding a gym close to home or keeping workout clothes easily accessible
• Brown and Clear concluded by emphasising the importance of patience, persistence, and self-compassion in building habits and making lasting changes to one’s lifestyle

Part 1

https://brenebrown.com/podcast/atomic-habits-part-1-of-2/

Part 2

https://brenebrown.com/podcast/atomic-habits-part-2-of-2/

Where to from here for Thinking.Physio?

Skills practice and reflection will be the cornerstone of my training. I am available for both in person and limited Zoom PD for your group.

If you have a staff member who is struggles keeping new patients or confidently presenting treatment plans, you might be interested in one-on-one coaching for him/her. I take on a limited number of clients each year.

If you would like to engage me to work with your staff or coach a member of your team, click here so that you can schedule a time to discuss your specific training needs.

Contact me to find out when I will be in your city and available for LIVE professional development.