There was a time when I used to count visits, finding it incredibly stressful and frustrating. I find it more fun to make my visits count! I want each experience with my practice member to be fulfilling for both of us and provide us an opportunity to create health and wellness together.

A visit to your office can be an extraordinary event. Here are 10 suggestions change your visits from drab to vibrant!

1. Make people want what they need. If you're operating a family practice, let your practice members see your family getting adjusted in your office. When they see you and yours doing it, they're more likely to want to do it, too.

2. Love life! Let your enthusiasm, passion and zest for life shine through. You're more than your skills and talents. For many people, you are the brightest and most loving light in their lives. Be a walking "exclamation point!"

3. Lead your 'flock.' When you ask questions, you lead your people to discover the insights and the brilliance that they have within. (You're invited to visit my website to see plenty of examples that you can use instantly!) For instance, if you have practice members who are finding it a challenge to keep their appointments, simply ask THEM what you can do to co-create a doable solution with them.

4. Share the spotlight. Allow your staff, practice members and your solutions to bask in the spotlight. Congratulate them for keeping their appointments. Praise your staff for a job well done in front of others. Share your testimonials with the practice members.

5. Listen. You'll be amazed at the needs, wants and desires your practice members will share with you when/if you give them the space through active listening. Sometimes we get so hung up on our need to teach that we miss the opportunity to serve!

6. Have a personal daily goal. Don't confuse this with a statistical goal like the number of visits or amount of income. For example, your goal may be to send three thank-you notes. You may decide to call two former members today. See how many people you allow to speak before you do. See if you can make the gal at the coffee shop smile. Or, you might want to add an extra workout into your day. One of my favorites is to take a 20-minute catnap!

7. Offer a gift with each visit. Sure a new car would be nice, however I'm thinking a bit less extravagant. Examples include complimenting someone's style. Tell somebody that it must be GREAT to be them! Or, that you're grateful for the opportunity to be at his or her service. I find the greatest gift to share is something personal about my beliefs, my personal health history – or myself.

8. Be confident enough to serve. In some instances my practice members don't want to hear the truth. They'd prefer to hear

what's expedient or easy. I let them know that they can dislike me now because they're going to love me later! If they have a subluxation, it stinks to be them. The greatest gift you can give your people is the confidence to tell them what they need, not what they want.

9. Make your point in the form of a story. Parables, stories and folklore have been passed down through the ages because of their ability to capture attention and teach a lesson at the same time. One of my favorites is to ask a practice member what happens when you unplug the refrigerator? When he or she answers, "the food spoils (or goes bad)," then I explain that the same thing happens when a part of the body is disconnected from its energy source, too!

10. Think "YOUnique." Start each visit/conversation by using the word, "You" and watch your concentration and energy shift. Remember, in order for it to be all about you, it's got to be all about THEM!

(Dr. Tony Palermo practices in Bethlehem, PA. His 100% cash, 100% referral-only practice requires less than 10 hours per week of his time. He balances his time with family and a limited clientele of coaching clients. For a FREE 18-page report, filled with strategies, scripts and applications for each of the 10 "drab to vibrant" visit suggestions covered in this column, go online at www.chiromastermind.com and click on the "Free Newsletter" section. To receive FREE coaching to help you create your ideal practice and to learn about the worldwide "2X + 1 Chiropractic Mastermind" Dr. Palermo has created with partner Jeff Smith, click on the "Free Coaching" link. You can e-mail Dr. Palermo personally at drtonyp@aol.com.)