Coaching, by Dr. Ogi Ressel
November 08 2009, 12:00 am
Warm hellos to everyone!
I wanted to let you know that starting very shortly, my THOTS are going to take a
bit of a different turn.
I am going to focus a little more of the clinical aspect of practice - especially children.
Don't worry, some of the wonderful, eloquent, and dripping sarcasm will still remain - don't
want to disappoint anyone! After-all, it is almost expected.......almost.
I would really appreciate your feedback on this - if you'd like to see more "stuff" on
dealing with children and their health problems, please send me a short reply.
Ok.....let's move on.
There is an issue I want to cover with you - it has been on my mind for some time and
is difficult to express.
I speak with doctors from all over the US and Canada as well as Europe, and the one
perspective that seems to be cemented between most ears is the notion that coaching
is expensive. It is seen as an unnecessary expense by many doctors - it is a frivolity
that one cannot afford. A gamble. A toss of the dice. A good way to get ripped off.
To get burned.
You'll agree with me when I say that practice is very different than it was in the 70's and
80's and even 90's. People are much more sophisticated than ever before, licensing boards
are tougher, the insurance maze is more convoluted, reimbursements are shrinking, clinical
necessity is increasing, our lexicon(the way we speak to our patients and third parties) is
becoming more complicated, and your life is an open book on the internet.
You will also agree with me when I say that you are good at only one thing - helping your
patients.
You excel at it.
You are fabulous.
You have great hands and a great heart.
Issues of leasing, renting, buying, staffing, insurance, associates, expanding your practice,
new patients, regular patients, children's needs, regulations, examinations, radiology, patient
follow up, and a myriad other issues - you are not an expert in. Many of these are learned by
trial and error - and over years of practice and experience. And many from rubbing shoulders
with other DCs at seminars and conventions - gossip and whispers in the dark.
The reason coaches are here, is to help you - to help you navigate the maze of bureaucracy
and teach you how to expand your practice and help tons of people - pure and simple.
Listen......we've done it - been there, done that, and have the T-shirt! ....And....have been
very successful at it!
Ok, Ok,......I know that many of you have been "burnt." I've heard this a million times. Most
of it because the coach did not listen to you, was not available, you never had the chance to
talk with him/her - always talked to some underling, you did not follow his recommendations,
you did not resonate with what your coach was teaching, you thought he was an idiot, you were
lazy - there are a million reasons. All that aside, think about this for just a moment: If you decide
to grunt through practice on your own - and you are certainly welcome to do this - you are really
reinventing the wheel. You are forging a road that those, who are much better than you, have
already built. Think about this: Why would you want to build your own road next to the highway?
Pride, your own thing, your effort, I understand all that. But here is what I hear - what was once a
groove has turned into a rut! Think I am right? Why not be incredibly smart and capitalize on
what was already established.....And if your system was so wonderful, we'd all be taking
your seminar!
Listen.......Coaching is not an expense. No. It is a necessity, especially in this economic climate
- you cannot afford to make costly mistakes - I've seen this all too often! And no matter what
the fees may be, they are really just pocket change compared to the effort and frustrations of
you grinding your own way. And the funny thing is this: many doctors try to do this "practice
thing" their own way and sooner or later end up with a coach. Why not be smart from the
beginning and hire one NOW to help you immediately. Back to the grit-your-teeth-do-it-yourself
thing. I get that. But here is what happens and I've seen this over and over:
When the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change, that is when you
will be ready and not until then. It also means that some doctors have simply not "suffered"
enough - more cards and letters! Relax! They are not yet ready to admit that their way is just
not supporting the family. Your coach, on the other hand, will help you to build your practice
very quickly - that is what we do - and your increased income will pay for your coaching
thousands of times over and provide you with a lifestyle you and your family deserve. This is
not an expense and the math just works! It is an investment. It is similar to going to school to
learn that which you do not know and/or are not good at. You went to Chiropractic College to
learn what it takes. The problem is that while College is wonderful for teaching you how to be a
wonderful DC, it does not teach you how to run a successful practice - opening your
doors is simply not enough.
Let's deal with the "burnt" issue: There are many different coaching programs out there.
Some teach you to sell to patients - chiropractic and yourself. Some deal with a religious theme
and teach you to "convert" people, some teach you fear tactics and how to frighten people into
care, some teach you to market your brains out, some teach you ideas and concepts that are
outdated and have been passé for the past 30-40 years or so, and some are clinical and teach
you how to be absolutely the most amazing doctor your community has ever seen - like mine
(I just had to say that).You need to decide which style is right for you. And I want you to think
about this again: If your system was so wonderful, we'd all be taking your seminars! So please
give coaching the right niche it deserves.
For those who would like to learn a bit more about what I teach and my approach to practice,
please complete the Practice Health Mini-Check Up on my website: www.practiceevolution.com.
It is a practice diagnostic. I'll spend time with you on the phone and show you why you are not
where you'd like to be, your pitfalls and your strengths, and give you some cool practice
suggestions and tips at the same time.
Please do it now before that dreaded procrastination disease hits!
My warmest wishes,
Ogi
Here is your affirmation for your week:
I face my future with a smile.
My life is becoming exactly as I envisioned.
It is what I dreamt it would be.
I am at peace
