While reading Stuart and Viv’s great new blogs to get some inspiration for this month’s topic, I noticed the tag line at the bottom of our blog page- about our programs “building your collaborative muscle”
Then I thought …aahh…I’m actually in the middle of something just like that- my continuing recovery from my surgery for my ruptured quad tendon, particularly re-building the quad muscles that had atrophied from lack of use.
So why is this a time to try something different?
I’ve realised that I just have to, because:
- I can’t do what I normally used to do
- there’s a high risk to my future (mobility) if I push what I normally do
- when I try to fix something it doesn’t seem to work the same as before
- I’m willing, but others aren’t (in this case my leg!)
- I revert back to business as usual pretty quickly
So what am I now doing that I may have avoided before, not even considered, or been embarrassed to try?
- slowing down hugely (easier when your body forces that on you)
- asking for help (eg requesting a wheelchair at the airport)
- following a really rigorous 12 month rehabilitation plan (that actually changes weekly depending on progress)
- but also accepting that I might just have to let things emerge, as I can’t predict or plan everything (eg improving knee flexibility past 90 degrees)
- constantly experimenting with new ways to get things done (climbing stairs, crossing slopes, working permanently from home)
- Letting go of some things (being OK to not control everything- because the damn leg just won’t respond)
- sharing the load at home and work (could be just an excuse to avoid cleaning the shower!)
And I’m actually seeing that trying something different isn’t just really useful when I am faced with a complex and uncertain situation that challenges almost everything I do, but it’s actually the only way to get the type of progress I need to reach my vision- skiing black runs again within 12 months- Covid permitting!
So I’m wondering what’s your try-different story? Hopefully not as debilitating as mine!