During one stretch of physical therapy during my two and half year ordeal with shoulder replacement, the physical therapist said to me,
“Make sure you do these exercises three times a day.”
When it comes to PT, I’m the model patient. My goal is to heal, get stronger, or get better and return to what I want to do as fast as possible. In this case, use my f’n right arm like a real boy.
PT said three times a day. I’m doing it three times a day.
It wasn’t working. Still couldn’t raise my arm above my shoulder.
The PT asked about my home exercise routine.
“I’m doing these exercises you gave me three times a day.”
“OK, when you say three times a day, how often are you really doing them?”
Blink. Blink. Stare.
“Three times a day.”
“Huh. Really?”
“Yes. I don’t understand.”
“Well, three times a day includes the human fudge factor — which is about 3X. Nobody really does the amount of work I ask them to do. I wanted you to do them at least once a day, so I say three times.”
“If I say once a day, it doesn’t sound that important to you. So you’ll do it once every other day or so. Three times a day makes it more important, and you’ll be sure to do them more often.”
Here’s a guy that understands humans and when to apply the human fudge factor.
