On time

We invest our time everyday for a myriad of things: work, play and a constant litany of choices. Our time becomes our choices. Our choices then define our life. We see it play out so clearly in the rear view mirror of our life, our choices. But how do we do a better job at choosing, so we do not have to look backwards so often to see what worked and what didn't work at all?

Time can be defined as a noun or a verb, but it appears that it is a measurable period during which an action, process or condition exists or continues in the past, present and future of our lives. Time helps us make order in a chaotic world. But it's the choosing of these time frames that seem to be the most crucial.

Recently the front page of the Harvard Business Review magazine OnPoint was covered with headlines regarding our life choices. Multiple articles titled "How to Be Productive without Burning Out," "Nine Ways Successful People Defeat Stress," "Positive Intelligence" and "Creating Sustainable Performance" all graced its cover. It seems that we all struggle with our time frames and the energy it takes to stay true to our choices.

Three months ago at our physical therapy office, we decided to take on a big challenge that directly affected our everyday time frames and our choices. We even invited some of you to participate with us in the endeavor. It is amazing how fast this time frame went by and how much I learned doing this program.

First, I realized how dedicated and devoted you must be to make good healthy choices. Next, I realized I needed to surround myself with a team of people who are making healthy choices so that it is easier to make these good choices as well. Finally, it became quite evident that these choices directly made my life better in the long-term, even if in the short-term I felt like they were difficult to always choose.

I was actually able to exercise everyday since the first of January for at least 30-60 minutes a day, sometimes begrudgingly but nevertheless I did it and that was amazing commitment for me. Rain or shine, early morning or late at night, whether I was at a conference or on vacation I made myself exercise. Then, as a side note, I was able to lose 10 pounds of weight and five percent of my body fat, gained two percent muscle mass, and decreased my dress size, but most importantly I was able to make a commitment to my health and that is what this is about.

Time is a gift. You only get so much of it. It's the one thing you can't make more of. So make the most of the time you have been given with the energy you have, your mind and body will thank-you. You are worth it!

Sheree DiBiase, PT, and her staff at Lake City Physical Therapy can be reached in their Coeur d'Alene office (208) 667-1988 and in our Spokane Valley office at (509) 891-2623.