June 2006

Thinking,planning vs. knowing doing

by Dr. Timothy Gay

Thinking is the first step to knowing. People go their whole lives thinking and considering, "what if?" They'll sit and ponder for days that become months, and months that turn into years. Thinking through a situation is something that's necessary to cause action based upon decision.

Yet, the reality is not the thought. It's the length of time it takes to make the decision. Often what holds us back from doing what we know is right is the fact that we are not doing. In the process, we plan the action step and talk about the outcome of the plan, but for some reason it continues to stay in the planning stage. The planning stage might be something you intend on changing in your practice, or in broader terms, in changing your life. But you prolong the agony by just thinking about the plan to a state of futility.

Let's go directly to the problem and find the solution. The solution is simple. Put time frames on every step you must take pertaining to the issues at hand. Every plan needs to be addressed and resolved in a sequence and prioritized. At this point, your actions of taking this first step take the place of simply thinking or planning.

You must set deadlines or time limits in decision‑making or nothing will change. People go forever waiting on something to change though they haven't even pulled the trigger on their plan. Planning takes place in stages and the mechanism that moves the plan into action comes down to the overall value or importance you place on it.

Most of the time, we take so long to act on a plan due to fear. In reality, what do we have to fear? Take a look back at the pioneers in our profession, the men and women who came before us who were forced to make life and death decisions at a moment's notice.

When there's no more time to think and plan, you have to know and do in order to stop wasting time or "trying" to accomplish your goals. Once you've committed to the action and have completed your planning, it's finally time to take action. Initiation of the action is the single biggest problem that faces doctors in practice.

Quit procrastinating and basing your decisions on imaginary barriers. You really do know what to do. You just choose not to act on it.

You may have heard the phrase it, "If it is to be, it is up to me."   For positive reinforcement, I suggest you post this somewhere, such as on your mirror or somewhere in your office, where you can see it every day.

For those of you who grasp that motion is life and the lack of motion is stagnation, then you also understand there are only right decisions. Wrong decisions are the ones that continue to go unmade. The act of "knowingness" starts with a thought, and with that thought comes the confidence of knowing you are right and doing something about it.

Deep down in the depths of who we are, there are dreams that are unfulfilled and those dreams are the very foundation of our knowingness. When we hold back from following our dreams or achieving our life goals, we remain lost in negative emotion. So, as you read this, stop thinking about it and start doing what you've already spent so much time planning.

Right now, take action. Go to the top of your "To‑Do" list and begin chasing those things you've thought about and planned for. Get as happy as you can as fast as you can. Make sure that everyone is involved and plays a part. Your patients, your friends, and your family will want to help you in your endeavors.

Give back to your community and to your profession by doing and participating more with your colleagues. In other words, contribute at all levels and certainly, join your local state association. Give back by becoming a member of and working with the World Chiropractic Alliance and all they represent.

Remember, stop thinking and start doing for others and the rest will just naturally take place.

(Timothy J. Gay, DC, a 1977 Palmer College graduate, is  founder and director of Ultimate Practice Systems,  a chiropractic management and consulting company specializing in personalized chiropractic consulting  [www.ultimatepracticesystems.com]. He is a highly respected and nationally recognized speaker, and author of several books, as well as numerous CD and video products for the chiropractic profession. Dr. Gay holds seminars around the country on a variety of topics and may be reached at 866‑797‑8366, or ultimatepractice@sbcglobal.net.)