Kenneth Monaghan: The Domino-Effect in Stroke Recovery Is Powerful

Kenneth Monaghan, University Lecturer at Atlantic Technological University, shared on LinkedIn:

”This week’s takeaway:

The ‘Domino Effect’, inspired by ‘The One Thing’ by Gary Keller, reminds us that stroke recovery doesn’t require doing everything at once.

It’s about focusing on one small, meaningful step at a time.

When you give your full attention to a single exercise or strategy, you build confidence, reduce stress, and make the next step easier.

Trying to do too much can feel overwhelming and slow progress.

Instead, trust that small, consistent actions add up.

One domino leads to another – and over time, those small wins create real, lasting recovery.

If you’re looking for a simple idea that can make a powerful difference in stroke recovery at home, I highly recommend ‘The One Thing’ by Gary Keller.

One of its key concepts – the Domino Effect – is incredibly relevant for both stroke survivors and their carers.

The idea is straightforward: when you focus on one small, important action (e.g. home therapy) and do it well, it makes the next step easier, and then the next.

Over time, these small actions build into meaningful progress.

This mirrors what we see in stroke rehabilitation.

Trying to tackle too many exercises or changes at once can feel overwhelming and often leads to frustration or fatigue.

Instead, focusing on one priority at a time allows the brain to adapt, learn, and build confidence. Each small success becomes the foundation for the next.

This approach strongly aligns with the philosophy behind Lights, Mirrors, Action, where daily treatment plans are designed to guide recovery step-by-step.

By applying the Domino Effect, stroke survivors and carers can reduce stress, stay consistent, and make steady, sustainable progress at home.

Finally, my song of the week comes from the a brilliant Irish singing legend.

It is ‘The Voyage’ written by Christy Moore. It’s a song that will give you confidence!!!

After reading more than 130 popular psychology books (e.g. Matthew Syed, Malcolm Gladwell, Rolf Dobelli) on how to be successful in business and sport, it was clear to see that these successful principles could be applied to stroke-rehabilitation.

Each book in my house has underlined important concepts that relate to practical techniques for teaching stroke rehabilitation to my patients.

I still use these all the time. Today I will give further messages from my talk in Sweden

The Lights – Mirror – Action Newsletter is one of the most popular stroke rehabilitation newsletters in the world. With almost 3,000 stroke survivors and healthcare Professionals subscribing, each issue contains a piece of practical ‘Caregiver’ Advice, a piece of practical ‘Stroke Survivor’ Advice, and a relevant song from the ‘Stroke Recovery at Home’ Spotify Playlist.

‘In a world full of dominoes, be the hand that sets them in motion.’ – Jay Shetty

The idea is straightforward: when you focus on one small, important action and do it well, it makes the next step easier, and then the next.

Over time, these small actions build into meaningful progress.

This mirrors what we see in stroke rehabilitation.

Trying to tackle too many exercises or changes at once can feel overwhelming and often leads to frustration or fatigue.

Instead, focusing on one priority at a time allows the brain to adapt, learn, and build confidence.

Each small success becomes the foundation for the next.

This approach strongly aligns with the philosophy behind Lights, Mirrors, Action, where daily treatment plans are designed to guide recovery step-by-step.

By applying the Domino Effect, stroke survivors and carers can reduce stress, stay consistent, and make steady, sustainable progress at home.

TAKEAWAY PIECE:

This week’s takeaway: The ‘Domino Effect’, inspired by ‘The One Thing’ by Gary Keller, reminds us that stroke recovery doesn’t require doing everything at once.

It’s about focusing on one small, meaningful step at a time.

When you give your full attention to a single exercise or strategy, you build confidence, reduce stress, and make the next step easier.

Trying to do too much can feel overwhelming and slow progress.

Instead, trust that small, consistent actions add up. One domino leads to another—and over time, those small wins create real, lasting recovery.

CAREGIVER ADVICE

In his brilliant book ‘The One Thing’, Gary Keller describes the Domino Effect—the idea that small, focused actions, done consistently, can build into powerful results over time.

This concept is incredibly relevant for stroke recovery at home.

As a caregiver, it can feel overwhelming trying to do everything at once:

• Exercises
• Education
• Routines
• Emotional support

But recovery doesn’t work that way.

It works best when you focus on one meaningful action at a time, and build from there.

You must be able to explain this to your stroke survivor.

Domino Effect of Introducing Therapy Gradually At Home

For a stroke survivor, mastering one small skill – standing balance, a simple hand movement, or even confidence – can create momentum for the next step.

Each ‘domino’ makes the next one easier to tip. Trying to do too much too soon can lead to fatigue, frustration, and reduced progress.

That’s why structured, progressive guidance matters.

In Lights, Mirrors, Action, the daily treatment plans are designed to apply this principle – helping you introduce the right intervention at the right time.

By focusing on small, achievable steps, you create steady progress, build confidence, and support long-term recovery in a way that feels manageable and hopeful.

Ask me for a pdf copy of the book by contacting me at my email address given below.

Gary’s book really emphasises the importance of concentrating on ONE thing at a time, something can be hugely difficult for your stroke survivor especially when they are in turmoil struggling to understand the importance of ‘recovery in the long term’.

The Domino Effect

STROKE SURVIVOR ADVICE

In his brilliant book ‘The One Thing’, Gary Keller explains the power of the Domino Effect – how one small, focused action can lead to another, and then another, creating meaningful progress over time.

This idea is especially important for you as a stroke survivor recovering at home.

It is important that you learn to include useful therapies that are safe to undertake BUT can be used each day.

My book ‘Lights, Mirrors, Action’ has a starting programme that you can read.

However, learn 100% how to undertake each therapy before you start to give energy/attention to any other therapies or you will end up frustrated and confused.

The Domino Effect Can Lead To Huge Gains….

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed and want to improve everything at once.

But recovery doesn’t work best that way. Your brain responds better when you focus on one treatment at a time, giving it your full attention before moving on to the next.

When you try to do too much, it can lead to stress, fatigue, and frustration—which can slow progress.

Instead, think of each exercise or strategy as a single domino.

Master one, then gently move to the next. Over time, these small wins build confidence, strengthen your brain, and create real change.

Small Wins Build Confidence….

In Lights, Mirrors, Action, the daily treatment plans are designed to guide you step-by-step, helping you focus, stay calm, and build your recovery – one domino at a time.

Enjoy and tell me how you get on!!

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST SONG

‘The Voyage’, – Christy Moore

A Soundtrack for Stroke Recovery

The message of ‘The Voyage’ by Christy Moore is deeply relevant to stroke recovery at home.

Its lyrics remind us that life brings unexpected challenges, but strength comes from continuing forward, even when the path changes.

For stroke survivors, recovery can feel uncertain, like navigating rough seas, but progress is still possible with patience and persistence.

The song highlights resilience, hope, and partnership – important for both survivors and carers.

It encourages focusing on what remains possible, not what is lost, and recognising that recovery is a journey, not a fixed destination.

This is so true for stroke survivors!

‘I am a sailor, and you’re my first mate.

We signed on together, we coupled our fate.

Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail.

For the heart’s treasure, together we set sail’

Please email me to [email protected] for a complimentary FREE pdf of my book ‘Lights, Mirrors, Action: A Guide To Transforming The lives of Caregivers and Stroke Survivors’.

It was written so that it can get into the hands of the millions of carers, and stroke survivors who need confidence, motivation and guidance when they return home to complete their physical recovery after stroke.

Set sail on a journey of recovery!!

Thank you. Have a lovely week.”

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