Breaking down goals into smaller tasks helps in EDS management
A recent leadership course proved eye-opening for this columnist
As I drove out of the pit and started making my way around the first curve of the track, I was both nervous and excited. Much to my surprise, the head of the school where I work had decided on some unique back-to-school preparations. Instead of the usual team bonding and leadership exercises that make everyone cringe, we did a leadership course that was designed around driving go-karts.
So there I was, in a tiny car inches off the floor, zooming around an indoor track with my colleagues.
I had no idea what to expect. I also hadn’t driven a go-kart in about 20 years — not since before my diagnosis with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). I was a little nervous because I knew that it’d likely put a lot of stress on my already troubled back and shoulders. But I decided to give the first round a try. If there were a problem, I didn’t have to keep driving. Luckily, after my first round, I realized that I was doing OK.
The program was designed so that we raced one time, then came in for instruction, mentoring, and goal setting. Then we went back out for a second race, had another round of discussion, and finished with a third race and a final debrief. The first time we went out, other than basic safety information, we weren’t given any instructions; we had to do our best to figure it out on our own.
Before going out on the track a second time, the leader — a local executive and former race car driver — explained about drive lines and how to make the most effective use of space on the track. Then we were asked to set a goal for our next race based on how well we thought we could incorporate our new knowledge into our driving.
Armed with more education, I blew past my first-round lap times and my goal in the second race. After some more instruction, I managed to shave a few more seconds off my lap time in the third round, and I had a lot of fun doing it.
My takeaways
As part of the final debrief, the session leader brought up some great points. One was that it’s important to have goals, but it’s even more important to have concrete ways of achieving them. That part really hit home in regards to my EDS management. His example was, “If a business aims to sell X number of cars in a year, that means that, on average, they need to sell A number of cars per month, B number of cars per week, and C number of cars per day.”
While that’s an obvious breakdown, it makes so much sense. Sometimes I’ll set a goal related to my EDS management, but when I don’t split it up into bite-sized pieces, it just seems intangible or too difficult, or it simply falls by the wayside.
I’ve recently been trying to aggressively treat my plantar fasciitis. While that’s a great goal, I realized that it’s much more doable if I break it down into daily tasks. When I know exactly what I need to do each day — stretch my calves, check my kinesiology tape (and replace it if necessary), and use my massager on tight muscles — my goal becomes a plan. Suddenly, EDS management isn’t just something I hope will happen, an idea floating around in the universe; instead, I have a practical and tangible way to tackle the problem.
While the course was designed to demonstrate how setting goals can improve mentoring and leadership, I realized it can be powerful in a variety of settings, including managing a chronic condition. Sometimes, when the path forward feels slow or frustrating, breaking it down into baby steps allows us to see our progress and be encouraged by small wins. I’ll definitely add this strategy to my arsenal!
Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.
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