October 2006

Seeing it clearly

by Dr. Timothy J. Gay

Until you can see... there's no vision.

Since the beginning of the year you should have had an idea and clarity of where you are going in your future. This is far bigger than your practice and more important than just building it.

We're in this position in our lives by the fruits of our thoughts. Our thoughts have manifested our destination in life up to this point. Most likely, where you are right now has some bearing on where you were last year. However, it may go back even further than that. Whether it's your personal life, your business, or your practice, all of these areas need to have a vision, a mission, and a purpose for why you are on this current path.

Some of you reading this article are happy to be in the situation you're in right now, while others are looking for the answers that continue to elude them.

Starting with your vision, do you see clearly the importance of manifesting a practice based upon educating your patients? Not just educating them on wellness and health, but on the necessity of long term doctor‑patient relationships and increased function, not decreased pain relief?

Patients want to come to a doctor not only for hope, but also for guidance and a pathway to becoming healthier. I believe that in many practices, somewhere along the way this notion has been forgotten.

The vision you have for your practice and your life needs to be prominently displayed where you can see it. This vision should be marketed to your patients and staff as part of the reason your practice exists. Take the time to realize whether you are truly seeing the components of your life with clarity. You have to declare your truth, put it in writing, draw the line, and start living those truths. Otherwise, you're living an inconsistency that will hold you back from your accomplishments.

When will you wake up the inner spirit and take responsibility for your actions? The inner spirit that we talk about is innate intelligence and can be tapped into only when you are right thinking. You need to look at yourself, as well as those around you. The inner circle you work and socialize with should be comprised of people who also see your mission. This is a decision you have to make for yourself and your future. Your inner circle will be part of either the problem or part of the solution.

The dilemma continues within you, and unfortunately, this is what keeps many great doctors from attaining the practice of their dreams. They over‑think and are unable to make a decision, even when they have the sense of seeing it clearly.

Your practice and lifestyle are determined by your thinking, your beliefs, your confidence, and finally, your experience and knowledge for what you do. If you are not continuing to study, learn more and apply what you've been taught, then you have no reason to complain about your current status.

Can you imagine being any type of professional and not honoring your professional skills? The mission is the next step to developing clarity. Make it a top priority to put your goals in writing and setting timelines. Goals without timelines aren't taken seriously and if they're not achieved, there's no real consequence for failing ‑‑ except the inner realization that you really didn't want it as much as you said you did.

Stand in front of a mirror and declare your goals and as you declare them, continue to get closer and closer to that mirror until you're looking directly into your eyes. This exercise will tell you if your declaration is in fact true or just another unachievable goal. If at any point your goals are no longer important to attain, there'll be a moment of distortion of what you really want and that, in turn, will cause a blurred impression of what you see.

These aren't new concepts, but they do require constant attention. This isn't a one‑time event but an on‑going, everlasting event. The purpose or inner spirit that's driving you in the direction aimed is the force and vehicle that drives your vision and your mission. This should be thought out in great detail in order for you to achieve advancement in your practice and your life.

Look forward to taking the steps necessary to achieve a great professional and personal life. Work together with those around you who share the same vision, mission, and purpose. If you're not involved with something "bigger‑than," get involved.

The doctors who've chosen to work together for the betterment of chiropractic have stepped up to the plate. The World Chiropractic Alliance sees with clarity what's needed and so should all of us.

(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 [on the web at 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.)