October 2004
The path of excellence
by Dr. Kevin Pallis and Dr. Ed Plentz
Often, we at The New
Renaissance are asked why it's important to be on the path. Now more than
ever, you must have a unique factor found nowhere else in the health care
field. Being on the path of excellence insures that chiropractic is not your
profession but your passion.
Central to this way of
life is training. Being on the path, you set yourself apart from other
chiropractors, as well as the majority of society, with your personal
excellence. Many DCs are horrified to hear that in order to master office
procedures, communication skills, and patient education they must actually
study and commit to the process of being a chiropractor of excellence. Ask a
master in any field how he or she became a master and the answer is always
the same: study and dedication to the process.
Most DCs are interested
in short cuts to becoming a chiropractor of excellence or settling for being
only a master of finances. The art of being a DC and protecting the identity
of chiropractic (back pain doctor vs. removing VSC on a family basis)
doesn't concern them. Their mantra seems to be "If it can't be taught in a
weekend seminar, I won't waste my time studying it" and their instant
gratification lies in the answer to the question, "Will I be able to make
more money on Monday using this new information?" All of this is in marked
contrast to the mind‑set of DCs who commit their life and passion to
chiropractic.
Getting modern day
chiropractors to train as warriors is awkward at first, but looking back
they find it's the best thing they've ever done for themselves, their
practice, their family and for humanity.
Many DCs fill their
spare time pursuing entertainment and pleasure while warriors entertain
themselves through training and cultivating their spirit. Of course DCs on
the path of excellence enjoy life and take vacations, however, their days
are filled with knowledge that they're better chiropractors, parents and
human beings.
As the non‑warrior
rests and plays, the warrior does as well. The difference between them lies
in discipline. Non‑warriors rest and play out of habit, it's what they do
with their spare time. Warriors, on the other hand, have very little spare
time. They lead goal‑oriented lives, and their goals demand dedication and
the pursuit of excellence. As warriors they know they must balance work and
training with rest and play. They do so by choice, not by chance as a part
of their training. Warriors live controlled, disciplined lives.
By continuously
training, chiropractors on the path of excellence inspire all those around
them. Their practice members, their children, their peers, their extended
family and friends are all empowered to succeed in their life pursuits.
These chiropractors are in a position to mentor other DCs and DCs‑to‑be.
They feel a stewardship toward chiropractic, and for all that chiropractic
has provided them and their family they want to give back.
Isn't that the way
things should be? When you perform rituals daily you increase your capacity
to enjoy life. You're in a constant state of gratitude. You get angry less
often, you complain less, you compare yourself to other DCs less and you
begin to enjoy all the beauty our world has to offer.
When you're in a state
of excellence you find yourself at training seminars designed to make you a
better doctor and further your vision. Our profession has become about
finances and the individual needs of the doctor, rather than the needs of an
ailing planet and its people. While finances are important, the vision, your
purpose and excellence will take you further than any financial improvement
can.
Look to visionaries
like Bill Gates. He had the vision of connecting everybody via the PC. The
finances came as a result of the vision, not the other way around. In the
Chiropractic arena look at the vision created by Dr. Joe Flesia and Dr. Guy
Riekeman in 1977 known as Renaissance, and the legacy that continues as The
New Renaissance. Notice the ripple effects that continue to be felt today as
a result of the slogan "Chiropractic today for a better world tomorrow."
When you're on the path
of excellence your character speaks before your words. Look at Dr. Guy
Riekeman and his accomplishments as Palmer's president. There is no doubt
history will repeat at Life due to his continuing commitment to excellence
and the perpetuation of the big idea. Visionaries' ideas and concepts live
past their passing as witnessed in the case of Dr. Joe Flesia.
To be on the path of
excellence is a choice. It doesn't happen by accident, by genetics, a virus
or luck. Be proud to be a wellness DC, for today and for future generations.
(A complete system
of practice based on science and philosophy working on the doctor from the
inside out, The New Renaissance is the next generation of office procedures
and patient education for today's chiropractor who wants to implement the
chiropractic mind‑set of success. The new Mentor IV Practice Development
Program takes 24 years of the pioneering experience of Renaissance
procedures and combines it with the practical daily activities of doctors in
the field. To learn more about The New Renaissance, contact The New
Renaissance World Headquarters at 800‑525‑3879.)
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