September 2009

Everything gets easier with practice

by Dr. Robert Schiffman

Over the years, I’ve observed that many situations in chiropractic offices have been getting worse. This is amazing to me because it can only get worse unless you want it to get better. You have to want it and be willing to do those things necessary to make it better.

I’ve had many DCs look to me for help in getting their offices up and running and keeping them going. Time and again I’ve seen some people jump right in and follow my advice for a good 30-45 days -- and then quit! Yet, these same people will work 35-50 years doing the same thing (if they're lucky), and never have accomplished what they had desired to do, or even reached half as many people they thought they were going to reach when they graduated.

It seems they dedicate themselves more to their hobbies than to their patients and office. Worse still, they join every management group out there but don’t focus on what they’re being offered by the groups, and naturally they fail. Then they come to me, or write, telling me all of the problems with these groups.

When these DCs fail, they try to blame me and anyone else who’s had a modicum of success. But, when you ask them which parts of the plan you outlined for them did they get accomplished the answer is always NONE of it! Of course, then you inquire as to why they didn't do as you asked in the outline you spent your valuable time creating for them, and again, the answer is same… it was HARD!

Beginning in childhood, nothing you do in life is easy the first time or twenty that you do it. You probably don't remember this, but I’m willing to bet it was hard to get through your “potty” training! It was hard learning how to drink from a cup without spilling it all over… to stay upright on your bicycle after the training wheels came off (if you were lucky enough to have them)… to write your name legibly… and to tie those blasted shoelaces!

Do you see a pattern developing here?

So, the question that begs to be asked is, why do you think your foray into being the best chiropractor you can be should be easy? From where I sit, that’s what most DCs think.

You constantly chase those “magic bean” programs as I like to call them. You know in your heart that just by joining these groups you're not going to get rich. Nevertheless, you hold out hope. The ad you saw said you would be RICH beyond your wildest dreams and you knew at the time it must be true because there was a picture of a guy standing next to his Lamborghini on the pamphlet!

Maybe you join some program because of all the “spillover” you're going to get. Remember this and remember it well: Do NOT wait for spillover! Learn to motivate your patients and educate them and develop the skills necessary to create spillover! Actually, most of you taking the time to read this are likely not taking the time to learn the skills to educate or motivate your patients, therefore making it more difficult for yourselves.

No question, it’s HARD to:

*** turn the interferences around you off and concentrate on learning the skills needed to be a success...

*** not go down to the golf course with your friends when you should be learning everything you can about being the best chiropractor you can be...

*** develop your own list of things to do and produce communication and develop relationships with your patients...

*** learn how to design a professional looking office...

*** learn the skills necessary to do your due diligence in investigating management groups before you join them...

*** actually write out a business plan -- harder still to devote two-five years in building your business, even though this is what EVERYONE must do to have a chance at being successful!

It's definitely much easier to keep chasing those magic beans, or buying the CDs or joining group after group.

I’ve been trying to get across to you that everything you do in life is HARD… in the beginning. As you keep practicing and learning, things start to become easy! And as you see some actual successes -- more new patients, more educated patients that refer -- your practice and staff will start to become fun! Getting to the point where you’re having a LOT of this fun is what we’re all truly after isn't it?

(Studying under CS Gonstead ignited Dr. Robert Schiffman’s passion for chiropractic. The Life University graduate’s career accomplishments have won him much recognition, and he is one of the most sought-after speakers in chiropractic today. Dr. Schiffman -- founder of the Principled Revolution, Get the Big Idea! Seminars and Coaching Programs -- continues to maintain one of the world’s largest volume practices. Contact him by calling 877-251-0181, or visit online at www.getthebigidea.com .)