July 2009

Mediocre to great

by David Dick, DC

Have you ever wondered what makes a great chiropractor great, and a not-so-great chiropractor stay mediocre?

Maybe you don't care. Maybe you don't want to know because it might force you to re-evaluate where you are, what you believe and re-set a few goals.

After practicing full-time for more than 17 years (and still in full-time practice) as well as helping my fellow DCs reach their dreams through coaching and guidance, I've noticed a few cycles of development that some of us tend to pass through and others tend to get stuck in.

DCs by 'type'

There are levels of chiropractic -- or really focuses of vision within chiropractic -- and these can be characterized by different DC "types."

***  One type is the WISH-I-PRACTOR. Here we have an early student or lost DC, a dreamer wishing he or she could be a rich, Mercedes-driving, barely working-12-hrs-a-week DC. This person doesn't realize that success only follows effective hard work and usually requires great skill, desire, attitude, and some sacrifice -- consistently.

***  Another type is the MEDI-PRACTOR or INFO-PRACTOR. This DC focuses on materia medica, emphasizing the chemical effects of an adjustment ("This adjustment releases endorphins to help you not hurt, Mr. Smith"). He or she often wants excessive evidence before even considering whether to believe in innate healing. This DC worships science as an infallible God, rather than acknowledging that we can't know everything but we can see simple predictable laws and truths at play (i.e., our bodies are self-healing machines that need no help healing, just no interference).

***  A third DC type is the TECHNIQUE-PRACTOR. Anybody reading this ever been one? This is when we get stuck worshiping the merits of one technique or another (and, yes, I know some correct subluxation better than others). But instead of acknowledging God (or innate) is the healer, we begin to think it's our own superior knowledge of one specific technique that makes patients heal. The bible says "knowledge puffs up" ... and I know that "ego" stands for edge God out (BJ said that the "educated" brain often blocks the innate brain from expressing).

***  SYMPTOMS-PRACTOR. This chiropractor places an excessive focus on controlling symptoms rather than correction of causes.

BUCKS-O-PRACTOR. Here the focus is on wallets, insurance, or profit-only rather than on patients and their needs. This type typically will do anything for a "buck" (this machine, that machine, this scheme, that scheme, etc.). All to line his or her pockets with green backs rather than fixing them. Yet, patients are smart enough to figure out where a doctor's heart is, so eventually they'll quit this type of DC.

I'm sure you've seen yourself and others go through or even get stuck at one of these levels, in one of these "practor" types.

I hope you want to be a chiropractor -- even better a "principled chiropractor." Or over time, if you want to join the best of the best, I pray you'll become a super high-volume principled chiropractor!

Every long-term practicing, super high-volume principled chiropractor that I've ever met (including me) believes:

1. God (innate) is the healer.

2. Interference is the cause of dis-ease -- interference with the life flow and interference with the lifestyle (meditate on that vision).

3. Without lifetime, consistent maintenance everything decays -- especially the spine!

4. I move the bone, God (innate) does the healing.

5. It's my responsibility to share the truth of what we do and have with a lost, sick, suffering, dying world.

6. It's not about me, it's about them!

7. People don't know what they don't know, so it's my job to lovingly share the truth of chiropractic with everyone.

After thinking through some of these, did any of them sound like you? If you'd like to break through and get "un-stuck," remember it's nearly (if not totally) impossible to "adjust" yourself.

If you feel beaten up, worn out, or frustrated because of a string of losses or being unsuccessful in trying to grow and stay principled, don't compromise -- communicate!

Please, find the help you need so you can rise to the next level. Patients need you and I want everybody achieving their full potential in their God-given calling.

That's my calling.

One last "thot." Never forget that long-term, lasting change only happens Inside-Out, NOT Outside-In!

When you're ready to grow, and accept the responsibility of truly caring for others (hopefully lots of others), they'll be given to you.

And, if you're not ready, they'll get sent where they'll get what they need. Now, that might sting a bit, but it's solid, true and -- if you'll accept it -- helpful.

(As an exclusive coach to only top level elite clients, Dr. David Dick is excited about the current movement being revealed and led by the top principled chiropractors. Servant leadership to one profession under God is his passion. If you have the burden to save the world with the Truth of chiropractic, contact him by calling 888-988-DREAM, or go online to www.DreamPractice.org.)