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INSIGHT ON EYESIGHT WWW.WEHELPCHICAGOSEE.COM / (773) 788-6974 / JANUARY 2019
How We Approach Goal Setting at Primary Eye Care Associates WHY YOUR RESOLUTIONS FAIL
Resolutions are born out of good intentions. Losing weight or gaining better control over finances are wonderful pursuits for many of us, but by the time February comes around, these objectives fizzle out, leaving us wondering what happened. In many cases, intent is simply not enough, but that’s not the only reason goals fail. At Primary Eye Care, we look at this problem as a team every year and always find commonalities among goals that don’t come to fruition. More often than not, it comes down to one concept that makes or breaks goals for everyone. Accountability is a pivotal aspect of the success of any objective you set out to accomplish. In many cases, resolutions fail because there are either not enough layers of accountability or there’s simply no accountability at all. The best way to start is by writing your goals down. Maybe it’s dropping 20 pounds or controlling your temper, but whatever the case, the data behind writing goals down is tough to ignore. You are 80 percent more likely to achieve something if you write it down. Once your goals are out in the open, those closest to you are aware and can help hold you accountable. There are plenty of people who avoid making their goals public due to fear of failure — “If I set this goal and don’t make it, what will people think?” But fear fosters tentativeness, and in those moments when apprehension rules, you’re never quite yourself. When this happens, discouragement is sure to follow, and that is another goal-killer. I always think of Brian Tracy’s book “Eat That Frog” and how his premise of taking little steps at a time can help us achieve our goals. For example, let’s say you want to get out of debt. Staring down the barrel of $25,000 can be quite daunting, and it’s not possible to eliminate that right away. But if that amount is spread across multiple lenders, what if you work to remove one source of debt at a time? Narrowing down debts this way helps to make it feel like a substantial accomplishment each step of the way. Every goal needs an element of self-reward. If you’re constantly grinding all the time, you’ll exhaust yourself and never reach your endgame. Breaking down your big target into smaller objectives provides a sense of affirmation that helps you stay the course. For
example, one of the most important goals is losing weight, which ultimately boils down to exercising and eating right. Preparing a healthy meal and making it to the gym every
day are little wins that should be celebrated. If you have trouble exercising, you could try my strategy: I joined a boot camp, and the structure it provides makes it significantly easier for me to work out three days a week. If I go to the gym, I might do four reps of a lift, but if I have that accountability, support, and a public goal, I can be pushed to eight reps.
Our big, hairy, audacious goal (BHAG) for the clinic is to continue to expand the services we offer. We want to provide value to our patients every step of the way. We pride ourselves on having the best technology in the area, but we also want to create a sense of worth in our relationship with you. If our relationship amounts to just a few hours a year, then we aren’t doing our jobs right.
YOU ARE 80 PERCENT MORE LIKELY TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING IF YOU WRITE IT DOWN.
But value isn’t just a business concept. This approach helps me tremendously as a parent. I’m constantly looking to see how I can add value to my children’s lives. When everything is all said and done, my kids and patients won’t remember me for being a competent doctor; rather, they’re more likely to recall how I treated them. If you’re new to the practice this year, we want to know how we can add value to your life. Reach out to us. Let’s discuss your goals and how we can help.
Until next time; Eye’ll see ya then!
–Steven Chander
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MOM REALLY DOES KNOW BEST 3 Wives’ Tales Proven True
HEARTBURN MEANS A HAIRY BABY It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. JOINT PAIN PREDICTS THE WEATHER Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.
“Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of
proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true.
GARLIC CURES COLDS For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients that help combat illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the-counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle
wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives’ tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly
in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet.
YOU CAN SEE WITH YOUR MIND’S EYE How Your Brain Helps You See
Imagine the table you eat at each day. For most people, it’s the one in the kitchen or the dining room. Form a mental picture of it. How big is it? How many people can sit around it comfortably? How does it feel when you touch it? What color is it? If you are able to visualize your kitchen table, you are taking part in a quasi-perceptual experience known as mental imagery. It resembles a perceptual awareness but occurs in the absence of the appropriate external stimuli. Essentially, instead of actually beholding the object in front of you, you are using memory rehearsal and imploring all of your senses to help you construct the object’s image in your brain — even though you can see your table when you close your eyes, you can’t hold out your hands and touch it.
completing it in real-life. For example, if we sit down at our kitchen table for breakfast, our brain reacts the same way it would if we merely imagined that we were doing so. Because mental imagery is so powerful, students and athletes have been trained to use it to maximize their performance. If they have a big presentation to give in front of the class that is worth 40 percent of their grade, they could spend 15 minutes a day during the week leading up to the due date imagining their presentation going smoothly. If they have a big game coming up and are nervous about their shooting percentage, they could spend time picturing the basketball leaving their hands for a “nothing but net” 3-pointer.
Over the years, coaches and teachers have taken humans’ ability to effectively use their mind’s eye and have used it to promote personal success or growth. The idea is based on research that shows that completing a task in our mind activates the same neural networks as if we were
If you have an upcoming task or event that is stirring up some nervous feelings, perhaps you should try your hand at mental imagery. You might find that it not only assuages some of your fear, but it actually helps you perform better.
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ALL ABOUT SUPERMAN’S EYESIGHT Was He Pretending to Be Nearsighted or Farsighted?
“It’s a bird, it’s a plane — no, it’s Superman!” Perhaps the world’s most iconic hero, Superman paved the way for comic book fandom. While he wasn’t the first comic book character, his entrance on the scene in 1938 certainly redefined the genre. His first appearance in Action Comics No. 1 captured readers’ imaginations, and he continues to captivate audiences today. According to Statista, as of 2015, Superman had sold more copies than any other comic book series, with second place (Batman) being over 140 million editions behind. Many of Superman’s powers draw the interest of readers. Certainly, his ability to fly, bulletproof skin, and super speed are intriguing to most, but perhaps one of his least appreciated powers is what he can do with his eyes. Early editions describe Superman as capable of not only the X-ray and heat vision we are accustomed to, but also telescopic and microscopic sight. He could see distant planets as well as microbial activity. In some editions, he could even see all shades of light, including infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths. Vision like that would be “super” indeed.
Superman pretending to be nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic)? Either one would make it challenging to work at an editorial publication without eyewear. In the same vein, what was Kent’s justification for not getting LASIK? Some people prefer frames, and others don’t meet the criteria, but one would think he’d need an explanation for that. Of course, many doubters refuse to believe that glasses would even pass as a disguise, but Henry Cavill, who played Superman in the most recent incarnation of the film series, proved all that wrong. In 2016, Cavill stood outside in Times Square in front of a promotion for “Superman v Batman: Dawn of Justice” wearing a Superman T-shirt, and no one noticed him. He even went to a Starbucks
close by but was not recognized. In his Instagram post documenting the event, Cavill quipped, “Dear Doubter, The glasses are good enough. Regards, Superman.”
On the other side of the equation, Clark Kent wears glasses and appears to have limited vision. One of the most interesting questions people have is this: Was
HAVE A LAUGH
Citrus and AVOCADO SALAD INGREDIENTS • 1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 bunch arugula • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves • 1 avocado, cut into wedges • Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 425 F.
2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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Inside This Issue
The Truth About Resolutions PAGE 1
3 Wives’ Tales That Are True PAGE 2
What Does It Mean to See With Your Mind’s Eye? PAGE 2
Superman’s Greatest Power: Eyesight PAGE 3
Citrus and Avocado Salad PAGE 3
The Best Skiing Destinations in the World PAGE 4
3 OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST WINTER SPORT DESTINATIONS Who’s Ready for Some Powder?
The sound of the first carve through fresh powder is the anthem of all winter sports enthusiasts. Here are three of the world’s best places to experience that powder you’ve been craving all year. BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO John Denver’s anthem “Rocky Mountain High” is about the freedom he felt here. Where there are great mountains, there’s even better snow. The ski resort boasts five peaks, 187 trails, 34 lifts, four terrain parks, and a renowned cross-country trail. After a day on the slopes, head into the town of Breckenridge for dining and activities that ditch the glitz and glamour of Vail or Aspen and take you straight to the heart of fun. WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA A destination that looks like a cross between Nordic paradise and Olympic-level runs, Whistler is filled with true magic, winter activities, and a town that captivates the senses. When you see the mountains
of British Columbia, you’ll understand why they hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. The location’s beauty is only part of your stimulating experience, because every curve of fresh powder makes your pupils dilate. Once you’re done flying down the hill where Bode Miller took the bronze, head over to the winter wonderland of the old Olympic Village for a cozy night in a picturesque town. If you want a great location for next year’s Christmas card photo, there’s no better place than the Tyrolean Alps. Nestled in a valley between perfectly molded mountains, the Austrian landscape provides a beautiful backdrop for your winter excursions. The densely wooded areas and the bright reflection of the snow frame the vibrant town that’s just waiting to be explored. When you’re ready for world-class runs, hop in one of the 11 gondolas and zip down the hills that hosted the 2001 Alpine World Ski Championships. ST. ANTON, AUSTRIA
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