July 2005

The most important person

by Dr. Joseph Mannella

Who's more important, you or your patients?

This may be the most profound question anyone has posed to you in a long time. Your reply may be the next key you need to unlock your greatest potential. I respectfully offer the following message to help you determine the best answer for you and your practice.

Society often tells us that, for true success and happiness, we must give to and serve others to our highest abilities. While this is true, what happens if you consistently put everyone in your life and practice ahead of yourself? This either empowers an individual or takes that person's power away. The key is in knowing what it does for you. For many, it may actually take away from their greatest energy and natural daily flow, yet they don't realize it.

Have you ever had a mother who didn't want to be a patient but wanted her child to receive care because she felt the child was more important? She even felt that was the noblest thing to do and the greatest sign of dedication to that child. In reality, the greatest gift a mom can give to a child is to make sure she's taking care of herself because she's the most important thing to that child. If mothers are unhealthy in any aspect of their lives, it adversely affects their children.

It's exactly the same in your practice because you are the parent figure to your staff and patients. There isn't one benefit that results from not completely taking care of yourself and nourishing yourself in all aspects of life before anyone else. Sacrificing yourself for others won't naturally create the healthiest environment possible that all can benefit from. You are the most important person to your family, staff and patients. Without you, many suffer. Without the whole of you showing up at the office, many suffer. All you have to do is remember that you need to prepare yourself and be an example to inspire more people in your life to be their best. You can't ask others to work on themselves and personally neglect your own advice. They will know it.

My suggestion is to create a ritual that satisfies your greatest needs and that inspires you totally. We're all naturally attracted to truly inspired people. If you're not inspired every day, that's a sign of not taking the time to take care of yourself in some area of your life that inspires you. For me, it's an early morning workout, personal reading, and eating an incredible breakfast. I put myself first because I take responsibility for all the people who rely on me. I want all of me to show up every day! Once I do what I need to do for myself, it's effortless to start helping others. Your ritual could be around a hobby, your religion or any activity that truly inspires and moves you. Whatever inspires you needs to be addressed so that you can stay ahead of the game of life. It's about you and helping others. Both are needed.

Just ask yourself what would happen if more of you showed up at your office, home, social events, or anywhere you go. It's simple and it's profound. It definitely is an inside‑out philosophy that you can implement instantly. Start by reflecting on a time in your past when you knew yourself completely and what you were made of. I mean really made of because you haven't lost that. It's possibly buried due to your success, social demands, chatter, noise, family, relationships, or simply time not spent reflecting on yourself, your core beliefs and attitudes towards life. Since it's still there, you can access it at any moment, at any time!

 Before you see your next patient, take a moment to bring your true self to the surface and forget about all the "stuff" of life or practice. Repeat this before you answer your next phone call, talk to a staff member, and see your spouse, child or any family member. The more often you do this, the more opportunities you'll have to inspire others and ‑‑ most important ‑‑ yourself!

In the beginning, as at the end, there is only LOVE. Just because you're in the middle of this timeline, don't forget the love of life and self, and the love you have for chiropractic and every single person you are here for. This self‑reflection will bring out your love and bring out who you really are. Now, when you go to do something for someone, your practice or yourself, it will happen with ease and grace, like it was meant to be. You are the most important person to take care of and don't forget it!

(Dr. Joseph Mannella has built seven successful practices. He's the inventor of the highly successful Posture Right Neck Orthotic, and creator of Momentum Implementation Agency, a practice management company that does customized in‑office implementation for chiropractors. For more information go to: www.implement4u.com or www.neckorthotic.com or call 586‑727‑7557.)