The Most Important Thing My Dad Did for Me
By: Jordan Clevenger Dpt
Tags: Life Lessons, Happiness, Wellness, Mindset, Lifestyle

15 Years Later

Seventh grade was a long time ago. I have now finished graduate school and have been working full time for almost two years. This story has repeatedly popped in my head this year and has taught me a lot during 2020. I realized what my dad did for me then carries over into what I can do in my life now. That past experience has taught me two important lessons.

Lesson 1: It is better to be the worst player on the best team than the best player on the worst team

Right now in my life, I’m reaching a middle ground. I have been working for a couple of years, so I am confident in my skills as a clinician versus when I first started work. This creates the temptation to coast through work.

I’ve been working as a travel physical therapist, which pays well and makes it easy to coast if desired as I move from company to company every couple of months. Along the way, I tried to learn at least one thing from each coworker I met, but always sensed something was missing. I realized I did not have anyone to challenge me. All my bosses cared about was how many patients I see. No one was challenging my clinical skills.

I was recently offered a job from an owner with an incredible skill-set. He has gone back and earned additional certificates that require passing difficult exams. The dilemma is the job comes with a significant pay cut compared to travel physical therapy. During my decision on whether to take the job, my seventh-grade story played a key role in my decision making.

I realize I could continue being the best player on the worst team, or I take the pay cut and practice with players on a better team. I did the latter.

Honestly, it has been frustrating so far. I run into patients that would rather work with my boss because he is a “more experienced physical therapist”. This leads to constant self-doubt and wondering if I am a good clinician. I look back at my experience of joining that league where everyone was much better than I was and find comfort.

I will get better, my skill-set will improve, and ultimately I and my patients will benefit from it in the long run.

Lesson 2: Skill is important but skill without effort is useless

Like I mentioned earlier, I was a terrible shooter and my basketball skills were subpar at best. I received playing time despite this because of my effort when playing defense and grabbing rebounds.

It is important to master your skill, but effort is equally important. I know at work I could show up a minute before my patient walks in and have enough skill to wing it through their treatment.

Is that going to be my best work, though? Absolutely not.

By taking the time (effort) to get to the office 30 minutes early and plan each patient’s treatment, they will have a better experience. It will also place less stress on myself throughout the day.

In addition, I try to put in some extra effort and study first thing in the morning to continue mastering my craft as a physical therapist. There’s always the tempation to hit the snooze button when I first wake up, but I’ve seen how effort has made progress in my past and know it will continue to progress me towards a better future.