How Bad Do You Want It?
Yes, reaching for your full potential will cut into your couch time.
I was on the treadmill at the gym when I noticed a busy pair of blue jays building their nest on top of a light fixture on an overhang in front of the gym. Each of them was flying away and returning to the light fixture with the perfect twig and placing each one into its ideal position to create the ultimate structure.
I watched them for 7 days. They would place one twig and six would fall. They picked those up and tried a better position. A tedious task, to say the least, but they were amazingly dedicated to the preparation process.
Their structure was growing and nearing completion when I watched the buildings maintenance person grab a hose, turn the water on full blast and demolish the nest from its resting spot on top of the light.
Observing this, I must admit, made me cringe (sorry all of you hunters, I know...It’s just a bird!). But hey, who doesn’t have challenges in life, I thought. They’ll just have to find another spot and try again.
The next day they were there again, gathering twigs and placing them back up on the light. They weren’t even using the same twigs! They were gathering all new ones from a far away forest. Their second attempt never took shape, nor did any attempt since. Every day the maintenance person comes along and knocks off the twigs. These birds are absolutely NOT getting the idea that they aren’t welcome. There is an outside force that just isn’t allowing them to complete their instinctive task.
From where I am sitting, it’s so easy to see that 20 feet away there are gorgeous pine trees with great views of the lake and plenty of protection from the elements. And most of all, no one’s going to thwart their attempts if they build over there. They can complete their nest and start the next generation.
To accomplish something more, something different, takes three things: awareness, willingness and ability. These birds certainly have the ability to build a nest elsewhere. Awareness is something they are lacking. Do you have it? Are you aware of any frustrations, pains, or tolerations in your personal or practice life? If you’ve hired a coach, you’re probably aware. Likewise, if a patient has already walked into your office, they are probably aware, as well.
Now that you may be aware, are you willing? When your coach points out that you only need to move 20 feet to accomplish a goal, what do you do? Are you willing to do whatEVER it takes to get where you want to be (whether that’s a number you want to hit in practice or a more time with your family)? Do you jump for the next level, welcoming the other point of view, or do you sit and contemplate all the reasons you can’t take the jump? Or, do you perhaps not really listen and keep putting the twigs back where you think they should go, performing the same task, expecting a different result?
How many of us get off a coaching call and when all is said and done, more is said than done? We pick and chose the things we feel comfortable doing and ignore the rest of the direction and then get frustrated when “our numbers” don’t change. We arrive at our office everyday the same way, much like the blue jays, and keep getting knocked around, maybe by patients, maybe insurance companies, or the financial situation you’re in. The great part is that we have the ability to accept direction from a coach and consciously choose to move (physically, mentally and emotionally), unlike the birds.
Yes, reaching for your full potential will cut into your couch time. It will take effort and will require you facing your fear and acting anyhow. What will happen as a result will be worth the move. You could have more time with your self and your family, more money, a more congruent life. The list is endless.
You can see the same thing with your patients. They come to you wanting a pain free life. You can see the path that they should take. You recommend an adjustment schedule, exercise, stretches, maybe even a diet change. Some take your advice and do most everything you suggest and change there lives. Others can’t find time or money to get adjusted, or maybe they come to get adjusted, but don’t want to do anything on their own (like exercise).
Everyone can use a coach. You are your patients Chiropractic Lifestyle Coach. Even coaches have coaches. All DC Mentors’ coaches get coached (even Dr. Sovinsky!). When you’re the one a situation, it’s difficult to see that you’re picking up the same twigs and getting them knocked down again and again. Coaching is simply asking to see things from someone else’s perspective. Call us if you want to share our eyes.
We, as coaches, can see how simple it can be. Some of us have been in similar situations and had to make dramatic shifts. It’s scary to not know what’s ahead.
There’s a great tree with an awesome view just 20 feet away. FLY!