With the World Cup on last year (and a son and husband who loooove soccer), I got sucked into the household football frezy! Watching the World Cup made me reflect on the similarities between team sports and health care.
In both instances, for success, the following is required:
- An understanding of the goal/s. Every sportsperson must be clear on what the goal of the sport is, and it’s no different for health. What outcome/s are you looking for and how clear are your health goals?
- Trust in the team. Whether we’re talking about your health care team or sports team, trust is a key ingredient for success.
- Red flags. Throughout all contexts of sports, the term “red flag” signifies a reason to stop. Perhaps becuase of a foul, or a way to signify dangerous conditions. The presence of red flags from a health perspective indicates the need for further investigations or referral, it also prompts a health practitioner to pause and reassess. Red flags in both arenas are critical for the longevity of the match and patient.
- Know your position. This is critical for any player of team sports, and is also very true for health professionals. Knowing your position is like knowing your scope of practice. If you suspect someone is offering advice OUTSIDE of their scope of practice, or OUTSIDE of their position of knowledge, use your critical thinking skills with this advice!
- Be open to being coached. “Coachability” is critical for any sportsperson to rise to elite level, and it’s a great trait from a health perspective also. Being opened to being coached, means you’re open to change, advice and feedback – all helpful traits for health progress if you ask me!
- Preparation and training. Sports teams won’t get far in competition without practice. From a health perspective, to have great health you have to be willing to practice the things that will bring you great health. Habits like going to bed earlier, drinking more water, improving your kitchen stills and building strength are require practice. As James Clear says “Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”
- Understand your data. Any great sportsperson or team will understand the importance of data collection. Data offers valuable information in the form of real time /practical feedback. Powerful yet simple examples of health data include general pathology tests, menstrual tracking and nutrition journalling.
- There is fun to be had – in both sports and health, fun is an important part of the game! When things get too serious in sport or in health, often the passion fades, so keep the passion alive by keeping the fun alive.
Next time you’re watching your favourite team kick some goals, perhaps you can also think about the importance of goal setting, trust, red flags, practice, coachability, scope, data and fun when it comes to your own health and wellbeing? And yes, it’s ok to wait until half-time to do this!! 😉
Bottom Line
In both sports and healthcare, the rewards for effort can be measurable and immeasurable. Even small actions can be literally game-changing 😉
Until next time,
Stacey.
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