January 2006

Mastering your integrity ‑‑ Part 1

by Dr. Dennis Nikitow

Over the 26 years I've been a chiropractor, I've seen a lot of changes both in our profession and with the individuals that make it up. I've heard doctors' success stories and stories of misfortune and failure. I've had the opportunity to help change the lives of people on both sides of the fence. I have found that the most important trait an individual can hold on to in all of life's circumstances is integrity.

Integrity means being trustworthy, honest , sincere, dependable and reliable in all aspects of your life. It's who you really are when no one else is looking, the foundation and standards shaping your character. It's the ability to say "no" when that's what should be said, the courage to stand up for what you believe in and act on it, regardless of opposition and without fear of consequences. Integrity is more than just a word. It's a driving force behind your every action.

Integrity can be developed to a high degree, but it can also be lost by:

1. Compromising the truth. Sometimes people don't want to face the reality of truth. They distort it, twist it and bend it to fit their own reality. If we look around us we see a world full of distorted reality where people believe what's wrong is right and what's right is wrong. Check out the TV children watch, for example. Our seared consciences think it's normal for kids to see cheating, killing, profanity and sexual impurity.

In addition, we as chiropractors deal with a public that thinks taking medications with countless side‑effects and doing bizarre surgeries and organ removals is normal, yet spinal adjustments to reduce nerve interference is far fetched for maximizing health potential. The problem becomes perpetuated by the DC who compromises his or her standard of practice, twisting the truth of chiropractic principles to fit the warped reality of the world. Chiropractic is for maximizing nerve integrity to optimize health potential. Integrity is lost when the truth is compromised.

2. Rationalizing. This follows compromising of truth and erodes integrity. People can rationalize anything they want to fit their perception of reality. If chiropractors would exercise the truth about chiropractic and how it benefits people, they wouldn't convey it as a back pain profession.

I teach a communication system to DCs so they can learn to express the truth about chiropractic with certainty, rather than conform to a limited concept of chiropractic as just a back pain treatment, and rationalize their actions to this twisted belief. The point is, people can rationalize their actions to the point of a new reality, that when compared to the truth is not the same reality.

3. Fear. Yet another reason integrity is lost, fear comes from lack of faith and certainty. I see a lot of doctors who are afraid to confront issues regarding chiropractic care because they've never been taught the dynamics of chiropractic and how to impact people about it. The result is conforming to what they are comfortable conveying , because they fear the truth of how to convey it, or answering questions that challenge it.

4. Lastly, selfishness. "Selfish" and "service" may sound the same, but are vastly different. We are supposed to serve people for their good, not ours! We get paid for our service, not our selfishness and greed.

Understand , you are a steward over the money you've been blessed with. Compromising principles for selfish gain shows poor integrity. It's amazing how people will cheat, lie and covet just to get ahead. The problem is, they think acquiring more money and more fame is success. Real success is knowing God's plan and following it. If you are a chiropractor, this is God's plan for you.

Research the philosophy and principles of chiropractic and learn the proper way to convey it. Locate research that proves the principle. Become certain in all aspects of chiropractic so you don't compromise your integrity and watch your life and practice change.

Next time, I'll give you the secrets on how to reestablish your integrity in every aspect of your life.

(To learn about the Certainty System, Certainty Practice Products and Dr. Dennis Nikitow's upcoming seminar schedule, call 800‑544‑3884. Outside the US, 303‑721‑6202.)