Several years ago, I met a blogger through The High Calling who seemed to care deeply about his work and family; his faith and service to others; his emotional and physical health. This sort of integration is common among readers here, but the way he articulated each of these and all of them together generated a seamlessness that intrigued me. His name is Bob Gorinski, and in one of those “Wait…what?!” moments, we discovered that we live only five miles from each other.
We met for burritos and became friends. Bob is 36, as strong as an ox, and disarmingly humble about success. Despite being a doctor of physical therapy and director of an outpatient PT clinic that grows no matter what he does to stop it, Bob’s family comes first. He plays continually with his five children and cares for them like a mother hen, .
For this edition of our focus on work-life balance, I asked Bob a few questions about how he keeps the plates spinning.
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Bob, you’re good at what you do (even the newspaper described you as a local medical hero), so it’s no surprise that people want more. What are your discernment filters for saying yes or no?
Thanks, Sam! My discernment filter needs some work. Operating in a small, privately-owned company rather than a medical conglomerate has its benefits and drawbacks. I try to make myself available where my services are valued and where my interests lie, which is orthopedic rehab and sports performance. My wife and I make time to catch up every day and schedule dates. Pretty much everything I work for falls apart if I don’t put time and effort into our relationship. She usually has a better awareness of when I’m over-extending myself than I do.
Those first two filters sound like Frederick Buechner’s oft-quoted description of calling. Then you add your wife to the mix. Nice combination. I’ve heard you say, “I’m happy where I am.” Always?
I’m definitely content to provide quality care to a handful of clients and then go home to enjoy my family and friends and hobbies, mow the grass and actually spend some time playing in it. Contentment truly is great gain. Other times, however, I think about what opportunities I’m missing. I see experts in the field teaching and writing about techniques that I apply every day, and think, “I could be doing some of that.” It’s easy to feel inadequate.
As a physical therapist, you help patients understand their body’s potential and limitations. Does this parameter-view influence your work-life balance?
I find many similarities between physical rehabilitation and life in general. Problems tend to occur when we push too hard, too often, or for too long. Imbalance results when we over-emphasize any one area. It’s dramatic and exciting to move in bold leaps and bounds. But for expanding and stretching our lives, a fairly systematic progression of carefully-guided steps seems to be the way to go, just like in PT. When I ignore my strengths and limitations, I end up hurt.
Bob, tell me about an opportunity that could put a squeeze on your future schedule. What’s at stake?
In 2008, I helped open a sports performance facility. The potential for me there has been—and continues to be—great. Yet I struggle with how to manage that opportunity and my current work responsibilities without stacking hours onto an already full work week. During this season of life when my children are young, my wife and I cannot afford the costs of 60 or 70 hours at work. I love what I do but don’t want to miss out on what’s happening at home.
Society expects progress, and you’re young and able. How do you manage the pressure?
Sam, there are numerous drawbacks to progress, but progress is not all bad. I’m trying to get a knack for counting the costs of business decisions in time, money, and resources, without being paralyzed. I try to be honest with myself and especially with my wife. She’s proven to be a pretty accurate gauge of poor motives. We pray about things. I do believe that God opens doors and closes them when we listen, when we strive for obedience, and when we do our daily tasks well.
What advice would you give to the young professional who has opportunities knocking on the door?
Seek the advice of at least one person who knows you well, has your best interests in mind, and is not afraid to tell you the truth. Most importantly, pray about, define, and revisit your idea of success. I often feel pressure from the culture, from within, and from clients themselves to push for growth in business. Some of that’s very appealing. But I’m not comfortable with what I may have to give up in order for that to happen. And the administrative aspect is not my strength. I know that God has called me to care for the human body. That’s where I succeed.
Bob Gorinski is a Young Professionals Coach at The High Calling. He blogs about physical rehabilitation and sports performance at Mental Reps. Image: Bob Gorinski doing a flip.
This post first appeared at The High Calling.
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