March 2009

Your new hobby

by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Warm hellos to everyone! In these times of stress and down-turned economy, we need a bit of sunshine, and here it is...

Many of you think of what you do as a chiropractor in terms of a JOB. Something you do to make money in order to support your family, your desires, your playthings, and your lifestyle. Something incredibly close to "work." And, of course, we all know how we feel about work, don't we?

The very word conjures up all those unpleasant emotions and memories of toil, strife, earning your pay, getting crap from your boss, you once experienced when you had your summer job to pay for college and often hated it. Still, you did it anyway because it was a means to an end you had in mind. Your discomfort was minimized by the wonderful goal you held in your heart. You were going to help tons of people and children when you finally graduated and you couldn't wait!

But, since that loathsome job had to come first, you placed it in your heart next to taking out the garbage, walking the dog, shoveling the driveway, and other activities that simply didn't move your crank and you just couldn't get excited about.

When you started practice and had to go to the office, it produced similar emotions. It appeared incredibly close to "going to work." The amazing practice you'd longed for, the incredible life journey you embarked upon, all of a sudden began to look similar to your past JOBs. It even felt similar. And somehow drudgery came to mind.

Yet, you now need to do this because you don't know anything else and people tell you that you can make tons of money doing what you do. The problem is, it's not turning out that way.

Of course, you'd much rather play golf (if you could afford it) or drive your Porsche (if you had one) or take that Caribbean cruise. Or take your wife to pick out that wonderful diamond ring she so rightly deserves for putting up with you all those years! Or go to the beach. Or... whatever pleases you!

Sounds awfully close to a "hobby" doesn't it? Yes, it surely does! And, you like that. You can "hobby" day and night and never get tired. You're incredibly good at it. In fact, no one can touch you. You're the best!

One dictionary defines "hobby" as: "An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure." Pretty cool. Pleasure! Yes! You're all over it!

But, let's pause for a moment and consider changing your perception.

What if the tables were turned? What if what you did as a chiropractor became your "hobby?" What if you could derive incredible pleasure from being a DC? And what if you did this primarily for pleasure? Would it move your crank now? I think so.

In practice just five years ago, I'd tell my patients that chiropractic was my "hobby" and my life was with my family. You see, when you view what you do in light of doing it for pleasure, all that "work" stress and crap seems to disappear. You don't need it. You begin to practice from the perspective that you're there to look after your patients, not to grovel and pay bills. It's a very freeing concept! You begin to practice from the perspective that people need you, you don't need them. You're not needy! I like that!

So, my hope for all of you is that you decide to change your perception. Take up a new hobby -- chiropractic!

(Dr. Ogi Ressel, author, researcher, and an x-ray and pediatric specialist, teaches The Practice Evolution Program, the "fastest-growing coaching program on the planet." Visit online at www.practiceevolution.com  and take the Practice Health Mini-Checkup. Dr. Ressel may be contacted by e-mail at drogi@practiceevolution.com or by calling 800-353-3082. Interested in receiving his weekly THOTS "on seeing tons of children and families in your practice?" Send him an e-mail and asked to be added to the list.)