The Grass is Greener on the Other Side of the Hill, by Dr. Ogi Ressel
August 23 2009, 12:00 am
Warm hellos to everyone!
It feels so good to be able to write to you again!
In the past few months I've had a glut of doctors who are planning to sell their practice,
move, start anew, get out of Dodge, and start a different life. There appears to be a mass exodus
brewing. To that end, I decided to write about an issue I talked about last Fall - sometimes a repeat
performance is just what the doctor ordered!
I'd like to share a story with you - a story most of you have probably heard before but have either
forgotten or think that the lesson doesn't apply to you:
Once upon a time there was a farmer who owned a piece of land which was hardly producing any
crop for him.
He agonized over his farm and the fact that he was barely making a living working his land - the
land was barren, rock-strewn, hilly, and made up of poor quality soil. His agony went on for years
and each year the farmer complained more and more about his lot in life.
Finally, at wits end, and wanting a better life for his family he decided to sell the land. The new
owner purchased the land at a bargain price and decided to "walk" his new farm in order to become
acquainted with his new property. One day while walking, he kicked one of the millions of stones
that littered the earth and noticed something glittering in the sun in the spot where the stone had
is what we say:
1. "If I could just get there, my life would be completely different."
2. "If I could sell this crummy practice and start a new one over that hill, my life would be
wonderful."
3. "I would like to start over and not make the same mistakes."
4. "Why do I always have all these day-to-day hassles here?"
5. "The people in this town don't understand me"
6. "This community doesn't want Chiropractic"
7. "No one has money for Chiropractic"
8. "I've heard the next town is such a nice place to practice"
9. "I will start over and it will be all different"
Sound familiar? Painfully so!
Listen......I know that many doctors feel this way but I want you to realize that the "over-the-hill"
or "next-town" practice will just be more of the same for you.
Why?
Because you haven't learned from your mistakes. And the one thing I've learned is that a lesson
is repeated until you get it!
True, the new practice will be brand new, the staff will be brand new, the patients will be brand new,
the location will be brand new, the town and street will be brand new - everything will be brand new.
Except for one thing.
Any guesses?
Absolutely!
YOU!!!!
Yes, everything is new except for the doctor. Same old doc, same old hand-ups, same old baggage,
same old mannerisms, same old purpose, same old communication style, same old, same old!
But.....you miraculously expect a totally different result, don't you?
Think about it; why would you? Why would you feel your life will suddenly be different "over there?"
Since everyone in your office takes their cues from you, why would things in your practice and life
change? You see, often the very best solution is to become incredibly amazing at what you do
exactly where you are. Searching for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow most often leads to
that glow under your very hands.
Listen, someone once asked Michelangelo how he could carve those beautiful statues that he
carved for the Vatican years ago, out of one huge block of granite.
And here is what he said:
"The statue was always there. I simply chipped away the pieces."
And so it is with you - the Practice of your Dreams is also there. It is within your grasp. You are in
it every single day. You need to chip away the pieces that are blocking you from seeing it! You
also need to be aware of what it is your community is looking for - definitely not more of the same.
You need to reinvent yourself! This is where I come in.....
I can tell you from my heart that your community is looking for a doctor who is absolutely amazing
at being a doctor - someone who they can trust implicitly with their children - you need to change
what you do and become that!
.....And I'm here to help! So do it!
....and do it with great panache, vigor, skill, spizz, purpose, and fun!
And if you are not sure how to go about it, or need a bit of guidance and direction, please
complete the Practice Health Mini-Check up on my website: www.practiceevolution.com. We'll have
a great chat on the phone and I'll give you lots of suggestions, practice gems, and advice.
Enuf is enuf! Let's rock!
Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel
Your Affirmation for your week:
I am deeply fulfilled by all that I do.
Each moment of my day is special to me
as I follow my higher instincts and listen to my heart.
I am at peace with my world and all my affairs!
