“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” Socrates challenges us not to become apathetic or ignorant, but to have a hunger for knowledge that pushes us to new heights. This quote embodies the idea of the ‘growth mindset’ or ‘beginner’s mindset’. This way of thinking and the actions it calls for involves you walking into each situation appreciating its uniqueness and seeking to learn something. It requires that we check our ego, operate with humility and patience, and seek knowledge from those around us.
We’ve all been there. You’re going about your day when a know-it-all coworker offers you unsolicited advice. Or there’s the one person who asks a question at that CEU course simply to demonstrate how much they know. Shoot, I know I’ve been there. And I’ve probably inadvertently been that coworker once or twice. These close-minded individuals have a way of making others shut down when they’re in the room. The free flow of information and creativity is slowed to a drip or is non-existent.
On the flip side, we hopefully have all had the opportunity to interact with an excellent mentor or friend who just has a knack for hearing your side of the story. They ask open-ended questions. They patiently listen. They make you comfortable. Think how much they must learn from these interactions. Despite the fact that they may have vastly more experience, or be subject-matter experts, they’re always willing to learn about the situation from your perspective.
Practice Self-Reflection:
So how do we apply this behavior and mindset to rehabilitation? We must start with self-reflection. An honest assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses can provide you with more than enough to start. Your weaknesses provide an obvious place for you to immediately direct your efforts. Research, practice, and put yourself in positions that make you uncomfortable and require that you improve weaknesses. And for your strengths, go to someone in the field that you feel is an expert in that area.. Ask them questions. Test yourself. Is this really a strength? If it is, how can you bullet proof it further?
Assume Nothing:
Secondly, don’t assume anything. We all know how the old saying goes and we’ve probably all experienced a time when an assumption made a situation with a patient that much more difficult. For example, you assumed the patient was coming to you for a full experience and you spend the majority of their first visit outlining the perfect HEP and plan of care. However at the end of the session the patient says they’re only here for dry needling and recovery because they do everything you just prescribed already. If you had just asked you could’ve saved yourself some time and gotten straight to the point without all the hassle.
Or an even worse case scenario, you don’t complete return to sport testing to verify your rehab interventions worked and clear a patient to return to play simply because ‘they looked good’. Only for them to re-injure themselves or pop up on your schedule next week for an evaluation on something else. This takes me to my next point.
Refine Your Practice:
Take time to reflect and formulate your principles of rehab. What matters to you? Set aside time to formulate a framework that includes repeatable processes and allows you to succeed in the vast majority of situations you’ll encounter in the clinic. This will require you to research, learn, and critique in a way that can only result in growth. You will have to consistently assess/reassess if it is effective.
Have a Sense of Self:
Finally, understand your circle competence extremely well. Don’t BS your way through a conversation or recommendation to a client simply because you’re too proud to say, ‘I don’t know that right now, let me do some research and find out.’ Or ‘I’m not comfortable making recommendations on that, let me have you consult with _____.’ Patient’s know when you’re BS-ing, and it won’t do anything to but hurt your rapport with them. Understanding what you do not know and working to address those areas so that you can be better prepared the next time a patient asks you is another opportunity for growth.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Similar to what I stated earlier, seek out experts in the field on topics you need help with. Find out what research they recommend you read, what courses they took, or what their recommendations are in general. Be a sponge in these situations and take in every bit of information you can. These conversations can also
Feedback is a Gift:
Finally, understand that feedback is a gift. Oftentimes it stings in the moment, but your ability to appreciate it and learn from that feedback makes all the difference. Those who provide you the feedback will notice how you receive it. When you are open to feedback, internalize it, and take the appropriate steps to integrate what you’ve learned, you’ll be amazed at how much you grow and what opportunities are presented to you.
In your growth journey, work to learn from others and approach all situations with an open mind regardless of your experience level, honestly self-assess, do not assume, create repeatable processes and principles, have a good sense of self, and to not react negatively to feedback. If you work to do each of these things you’ll be amazed at the growth you’ll experience. And in closing, give yourself grace and be realistic. Don’t view your journey on a day by day or even week by week basis. Focus on the process and view this on a longer timeline.
If you’re interested in reading more on this subject, I might recommend you take a look at the following:
