January '07, Questions from the Field
Second universal question: Why now? Again, my response is why not now?
Dear Doctors:
Happy New Year! This is the time of year that is traditionally reserved to reflect a bit on the past, but more typically to look toward to the future; to set some new goals, rekindle some old passion, and focus on both our personal and professional development. Since we did not receive an “Ask the Coach” question this month, I would like to use this opportunity to discuss how the Six Universal Questions every new patient has when they present to your office, can also apply to your practice. I will cover three of them here.
First question: Why me? In the back of every new patient encounter lives this question. “Why did this happen to me?” “I didn’t do anything to deserve this.” Or, my favorite is their mental rationalization of the, “All’s I did syndrome!”
“All’s I did was bend down to put a dish in the dishwasher and couldn’t stand up.” How does this universal patient question fit in with a discussion about your practice? Think about it: Why me? Why is my practice not growing? Why is my practice not where I think it should be? I am doing everything I can to make it happen! Sound familiar? Similar to what you hear your patients saying?
My response is why not you? Are you truly doing everything you know to insure your success? And more importantly, are you engaged with a glad heart? Have you developed laser-like skopas with your business vision? Have you mastered your adjusting technique? Is your financial plan in place or are you stilling planning a plan? How is your patient communication skill set? Staff training? Are you reading? The list can go on and on. But I think you get the idea.
Second universal question: Why now? Again, my response is why not now? There is an old saying in the landscaping business, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” The same is true for building a great practice. This past year we have heard many explanations for why your businesses are not succeeding at your desired levels.
“I’ll get busy when I get in the right location”
“I’ll get busy once I have this RYF nailed down”
“I’ll get busy when I get the right staff”
“I’ll get busy when I get some support at home”
I’ll get busy when...complete the sentence as it best applied to you in 2006. We could call this the “I’ll get busy when syndrome”. Not everything will be “perfect.” Resolve right here to get busy now, not when.
Last question: What if I do nothing about my problem? Believe it or not this is a question most, if not all of your new patients have, as well as most, if not all of our clients. As with our patients, pain can be a powerful motivator. What we know is that change is often difficult until the Pain of the Same exceeds the Pain of Change. If you chose to do nothing this year or continue to do things in the same way as you have been doing them, you can expect to get the same results. Come New Years 2008 we can be having the same conversation, about the same points of contention because you did the same things, the same way all year. Do something! No problem, be it business or health, will improve without action.
Remember, dreams without action are delusions. Take some action this year. Let’s look at 2007 as the year you committed to building a great you and a great practice.