January 2003
Strategies for success -- Conclusion
by Dr. Tony Palermo
My previous two columns discussed six of ten "Strategies
for Success." They were:
*** Master your
time
*** Choose
discipline
*** Plant success
seeds
*** Go "one
to many"
*** Leverage your
successes
*** Live with
enthusiasm
Now, let's finish up with the final four.
Strategy seven: Respond to success
Rather than reacting to failures, respond to successes. This
is what separates two doctors practicing in the same town -- one's booming
while the other's busting.
The "boom" doctor is willing to hear the words
"no thank you" more often than the one who's busting! He or she
will continue to invite new members while the "busting" doctor
stops at the first sign of negativity.
The distinction is that successful doctors respond to
success while struggling doctors react to failure!
ACTION STEP:
Commit this concept to memory: "You have every right to
invite people to your services. People have equal right to say 'no thank
you'."
Strategy eight: Learn the business
People in the success game learn early on that it is essential
to know the rules of the game in order to win! Business provides the rules
and numbers are how you keep score.
Excuses such as "they never taught business in
chiropractic school" or "I'm not very good with business"
is not an acceptable excuse. Once you know what you do not know, it's
vital that you begin to learn -- starting NOW!
Don't make the mistake of thinking that someone else will
watch the numbers for you. If you're in private practice you've got to
know your key numbers and watch them every month.
It's your business that allows you to serve. Without one you
can't have the other. Don't confuse "volume" with success. I
know countless doctors with high‑volume practices who are
financially crippled.
ACTION STEP:
At the bare minimum begin to track the following numbers on a
monthly basis:
-- Your case average
-- Your income
-- Your expenses
-- Your percent overhead
-- Net (key word) profits
Strategy nine: Actions speak louder than words
Success begets success. In order to attract the success that
you want into your life you've got to take action.
Phrases that start with, "someday I'm going to..."
or, "someone ought to..." will never create successful outcomes
in our lives. There comes a time when we've got to stop thinking about it
and start doing something -- anything -- about it.
ACTION STEP:
*** Create a
short list of the top five ideas, strategies or plans that you've been
putting off. Once you've created the list, prioritize your number one,
number two, etc. ideas.
*** Get to work
on the number one item first and follow it through from thought to deed
and then proceed down your list.
By the way, my strong suggestion is that you start your list
now. Don't wait until you finish reading this column. Go make your date
with success right this instant!
Strategy ten: Orient your life around success
You've undoubtedly heard the expression "misery loves
company." Well, success loves company, too!
Surround yourself with success-oriented individuals. Distance
yourself from people who gossip, back stab and find fault in others'
ideas, thoughts and actions. While this may sound harsh, I've found that
the simple act of associating with other success‑oriented
individuals is a catalyst for success.
Remember, you are neither "broken" nor do you need
to be "fixed." Avoid groups and organizations that prosper by
making you feel anything less than your awesome self!
ACTION STEP:
"The world's most successful and wealthiest people ALL
belong to a 'mastermind' group!" (quote adapted from Napoleon Hill).
Create (or join) a circle or group of successful, positive and
enthusiastic individuals. Make a commitment to meet, discuss or brainstorm
regularly. There's nothing like reinforcement from others committed to the
same life of success.
-----
As you implement all 10 success strategies, remember what we
teach in chiropractic philosophy, that everything you need
in order to be healthy, successful and at peace are already built
inside of you. It's simply a matter of accessing your greatest strengths
from within!
(Dr. Tony Palermo practices in Bethlehem,
Pa.
His 100% cash, no
insurance accepted, 100% referral-only practice requires fewer than 10
hours per week of his time. He balances his time with family and a limited
clientele of coaching clients. NOTE TO CHIROPRACTIC JOURNAL READERS: If
you're interested in joining Dr. Palermo for free "Chiropractic
Mastermind" teleconferences to discuss topics from his columns,
e-mail him at drtonyp@aol.com and type "Chiropractic Journal
Reader" in the subject line. He'll let you know when his next session
is scheduled.)
