By Pat Gayman, D.C.
Expanding your capacity is what it takes to expand your practice. In the previous
issue we covered some of the steps that it takes to increase your capacity for
service and your commitment to chiropractic. If you are serious about seeing
and serving more people, you will have taken some of the steps that were covered
in that article.
The first article emphasized the importance of establishing clear business and
financial plans, reviewing your schedule (and your capacity to give excellent
service within your patient care hours), and developing a marketing plan that
includes educating more people about chiropractic. Many ideas were given to
help you expand and renew your commitment to chiropractic. Staying passionate
and on purpose about your chosen profession is what keeps you focused and excited
about the power of a chiropractic adjustment.
Priorities
The next area for consideration in expanding your capacity and your practice
is that of establishing clear priorities. Priorities come from your values,
and they help you set your goals. They are not the sometimes urgent (but often
relatively unimportant) items that make up part of your everyday “to-do”
list. There is a great model for how to manage your time that is based on the
concept of “putting the big rocks in first.”
Imagine if you will a large container into which you are going to put all of
your tasks, large and small, the routine and the one time only. We are going
to use sand, pebbles and rocks to represent the tasks.
Pour all of the small things that you do each day into the container. Then put
in some pebbles and small rocks representing things like reports, charting,
reading X-rays, going through the mail, making various administrative decision,
etc. Next, put in those projects that you have determined are a priority to
you. Use big rocks (priorities) for this. Can you fit any into the container
that is already full of sand (small, routine tasks) and pebbles and small rocks
(daily, important tasks)? Probably not!
Now, empty the container and this time put in the big rocks (your priorities
that you have established as valuable to you and the office) first. Then add
the pebbles and small rocks (the important tasks that make up the daily routine
of patient service in your office). Finally add the sand (the small tasks).
To your surprise you will find that you actually can get pretty much all of
in.
What this example proves is that when you put your priorities in first you will
be able to accomplish everything you wish. The key is to establish your priorities
by the plans you have written and your mission as a chiropractor.
Leadership
It is critical that you develop your leadership skills to expand your practice.
Leadership skills will help you guide people to understanding, an important
first step leading to commitment to lifetime chiropractic care. Effective leadership
will help you to build your practice team, and to establish goals that work
for everyone involved in the practice.
Successful leaders are aware of five conditions that must exist to get people
energized and directed.
Leadership requires that you continually expand your vision to include not only
those in your practice, but also those in your community. Establish yourself
as a leader by joining organizations and groups that support things that matter
to you. Show up as a volunteer who is dependable, committed and willing to do
a little extra. These qualities will attract people to you as a chiropractor
as well. The adage, “the best way to get is to give” is very true,
and it gives you the sense of fulfillment that always follows right action.
Capacity for Living
Expand your capacity for living by continually seeking more self-knowledge,
by overcoming your limiting beliefs, and by thinking “big enough.”
Self-knowledge is required to grow as a person, and it will help you understand
others.
Overcoming your limiting beliefs is vital to help you push beyond limits that
may have been set by well- meaning adults in your past. Too many people try
to function on beliefs that were installed when they were children. Those beliefs
may have worked when they were five, but often do not work in their adult lives.
You must give yourself “new permission” to move beyond your previously
set limitations. When you think “big enough” you let your passion
for service through chiropractic guide your thoughts, your actions and your
life. Set goals that match that passion and you will most certainly live the
life of your dreams.
If you are willing to take the time to expand your capacity for service, expand
your commitment to chiropractic, establish clear priorities and manage your
time well, you will most certainly expand your practice. Expanding your practice
will help you achieve all your goals and, as importantly, will bring more people
to choose the life-giving, life-changing potential that chiropractic offers.
About the author: Patricia Gayman, D.C., was in private practice for 28
years after which she continued her service as Dean of Clinics and Professor
of Philosophy at Life West Chiropractic College. She is on the continuing education
faculty at three chiropractic colleges. Currently Gayman owns and operates Capacity
Coach, a life skills and business coaching service. She maintains her involvement
in chiropractic by managing a chiropractic office, as chair of the ICA Practice
Mastery committee and as a contributing writer to several publications. She
can be contacted at capacitycoach.com.
5 conditions to get people energized and directed
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