What MacGyver Taught Me About Health
I love the 80s. My playlist is filled with everything from “Footloose” to “Walking on Sunshine.” I fondly remember Michael J. Fox in his roles as Alex P. Keaton and Marty McFly. I relished my View Master and Lite-Brite, and I could play Super Mario with the best of ‘em.
Amusingly, however, the 80s icon that has stayed with me the most is one whom I never watched growing up in that era. Rather, I came to enjoy the show in my adult years once it was in syndication. You remember it -- the mullet, the Jeep, the Swiss Army knife, duct tape, and paper clips -- right? Of course I’m talking about MacGyver.
The lead character possessed many noble qualities, but the most salient among them was his resourcefulness. Despite high-pressure situations and formidable obstacles, he always used the resources at his disposal. He realistically assessed each situation, thought creatively about a solution, and ultimately emerged victorious.
I have realized in recent years that we can adopt that same mentality in our health journeys. The nature of our obstacles is different, but the challenges are daunting nevertheless. The importance of recognizing our assets seems obvious, but surprisingly, many of us overlook it. We can group our resources into three categories:
1. Material resources. These are tangible, physical resources. They could include exercise clothes and equipment, a phone with health apps, cookbooks, a guest pass to a gym, an ergonomic pillow, a standing desk, etc.
2. Relationship resources: Who are the family, friends, and acquaintances who can help you in your health journey? Perhaps you could schedule walks with a spouse. Recruit a friend as an accountability partner. Play with your children in the yard. Ask your employer about corporate wellness programs.
3. Personal resources: This category is my favorite to explore. What are the skills, personality traits, and other natural strengths you possess? Are you determined, disciplined, outgoing, energetic, analytical, creative, introspective? Do you love to cook, garden, play sports, volunteer, work with numbers, write stories?
Taking inventory of our assets helps because too often we compare our weaknesses to others’ strengths. This mindset is unfair and undermines our confidence. Explore your strengths closely. Name them aloud. Write them down. Then consider how you can use those resources to achieve your health goals.
There are two final resources I should mention here -- time and money. We are keenly aware of both resources, yet we frequently frame them negatively because we perceive having too little of them. The beauty of naming the other resources, however, is that it helps us think creatively about dealing with issues of time and money. It frees us to focus less on problems and more on solutions.
Health coaches facilitate the discovery of resources, assets, and strengths. This discovery then becomes part of the constructive and creative process of moving forward to achieve health goals. Clients feel empowered to make their new health behaviors stick -- and they don’t even need duct tape to do it.