August 2005

Chiropractic integrity

by Dr. Robert Schiffman

"One man cannot do right in one department of life while he is occupied doing wrong in any other department. Life is one indivisible whole." ‑‑ Gandhi

Being true to yourself in the highest sense could be considered integrity. Integrity is a state of wholeness. Walking in integrity, is what is right for you. This is bigger than honesty, morality or credibility, although it can encompass all of these. When you're walking in and with integrity, you have less stress, you could have greater self‑esteem, and feel more energetic. Walking in integrity is an on‑going process; you work on it your entire life. There are ways to restore and maintain integrity in your personal life and in your practice.

You must complete the past, by always acknowledging the wrongs, the mistakes, and the screw‑ups. There are times that you might say or do the wrong thing at some point in your life. The difference between those with integrity and those without, is how you handle it.

Restoring your integrity in your personal relationships is very important. Make a list of people you've hurt (intentionally or not). Apologize (if they have died, write a letter) and ask what you can do to make amends and put things right. Then, move on. Once you've admitted your mistake, taken corrective action and made amends, let it go.

If integrity is wholeness, then to restore it in your life you must plug all the holes. Where is your energy being drained or depleted? What are you tolerating or putting up with, the missing button on your favorite suit, the refrigerator light bulb that burned out, the negative influences in your life?

Tell the truth. This is more than not lying, for it means telling the whole truth. Giving your word or being honest is only part of integrity, sometimes you have to look beyond your word or promise to the larger truth.

Investigate, identify and fulfill your personal and emotional needs. Do you need to be appreciated, heard, cherished, loved, valued or in control? There are hundreds of needs. Which ones are yours and how well are you getting them met? Unfulfilled needs drive us to do things that are out of integrity (overspend, overeat, etc.). If you don't know what your needs are, it is hard to stay in integrity.

Tie up loose ends and projects, unfinished business, promises you've made and haven't kept, projects you've said you would tackle and haven't (whether to yourself or others) will all drain your energy. Complete the task, or delegate it to someone else, hire it out, decide what you are or aren't going to do. Integrity is bigger than unfinished projects.

Michael had a small practice and, not being a detail person, didn't keep good track of his business or personal financial records. He realized this was damaging the success and integrity of his practice, so he bought an accounting program and hired a person to come and train him how to keep his books up to date. He hated it. The whole process drained his energy, even though he knew it needed to be done. To be in integrity, Michael needed to be responsible and aware of his financial situation, but he didn't need to do the bookkeeping. He delegated it to a bookkeeper and has been happier and financially up‑to‑date ever since. Being in integrity doesn't mean you have to do it yourself. In fact, doing his own bookkeeping would have been a waste of Michael's talents and out of integrity for him.

Try raising and honoring your standards. Being true to yourself means having high standards and honoring them. While boundaries are the conduct we hold others to so we can be our best, standards are the conduct we hold ourselves to. For example, "I'm a person who's always on time or early." "I don't lie." "I pay my bills on time." "I tell the truth." These are standards.

Know your gifts. At some level you aren't being true to yourself if you're not aware of and honoring your special talents and gifts. It's worth spending some time figuring out what your natural strengths and abilities are (work with a coach or mentor if it isn't clear). Then orient your life completely around your strengths and passions. Tiger Woods has a natural ability for golf which he continually refines with coaching and practice. What are you naturally good at that you could become a master of, with additional training?

Act with boldness when you walk in integrity. No one honors the fainthearted, shy and timid. Everyone admires the bold, courageous, and daring. Remember, you can be bold without being obnoxious, offensive and annoying. Look around at what others have done and what you can do. If you do it with integrity, you're doing it for yourself and others. To be the best DC, you have to have integrity in every aspect of your practice. You must study, plan, practice, and be tested. There will be some who'll shrink against it, some who'll do the minimum, and the ones who cut corners and pass. You must be bold and welcome the challenge with integrity and honestly meet the standards. Then you'll feel the true pride of accomplishment as a successful chiropractor.

Many of know to make a personal decision to do what it takes to succeed, yet few of you live it. You might think you lack the will or self‑confidence to test yourself. This isn't you, you're a person of action. If you aren't living your life wholly, then a part of you is missing, or incomplete. If you aren't living your own life, you aren't living in integrity!

(Studying under CS Gonstead ignited Dr. Robert Schiffman's passion for chiropractic. The Life University graduate's career accomplishments have won him much recognition, and he is one of the most sought‑after speakers in chiropractic today. Dr. Schiffman ‑‑ founder of the Get the Big Idea Seminars and Schiffman Solution Coaching Program ‑‑ continues to maintain one of the world's largest volume practices. Contact him by calling 877‑251‑0181, or visit online at www.getthebigidea.com)