What Did You Learn
I have been writing these weekly e-newsletters for years and while strolling through previous e-mails, I came across one written in 2013 titled: What Did You Learn. Seems I asked one of my PEAK students, interns from Life University, ready to graduate and fend for herself if she had any final questions.
Considering if the question was directed to me and I was ready to graduate and knew what I know now, what changes would I have made. As if I was able to go back in time and knew that Microsoft, Goggle and Facebook would be a behemoth in the tech world, how much money would I have poured into the stock market and let it ride. The riches would be immense.
If implemented, knowledge along with experience and guts is what is needed to succeed. When doctors reply to me with questions (joel3639@aol.com), I ask them to consider an out of body experience where they can hover over the moment, take a breath and tweak changes up their ladder towards success. If possible, prior to making another mistake or spending money unnecessarily, you literally had a mentor, a colleague or business associate that you can call before the next step and course correct if needed. This would be like asking me to go back in time, gather my meager thoughts and experience prior to walking across the threshold of my first office, hiring staff, purchasing equipment or spending time and energy on fruitless marketing endeavors. It would be great.
So, this is what I wrote in the 2013 e-newsletter
E-mail message this week .. What Did You Learn
As this quarter of LUCC ends, so does my time with my PEAK student, so I asked her if there were any questions I could answer. Her answer was a question to me: "What did I learn that I didn’t learn while I was a chiropractic student and would I have done things differently?" So, what did I learn and if I had to do it all over again and travel similar paths during the past 34 years, what would I do differently? Great question.
If time stood still allowing me to think through my personal and professional decisions, what would I have changed, how much extra time would I have spent decision making and considering where I am today, compared to my hopes and dreams 34 years ago, am I content or frustrated? Wow, first, no regrets, no complaints and very content. Second, I, like you, probably pissed away a boatload of cash with frivolous chases to make a few more. I followed some gurus who didn’t lead me astray but misdirected me a bit. I followed my conservative instincts a bit too closely rather than going for the gold and taking a few extra risks. I probably stayed within my comfort zone too often while peeking a bit out the bubble a time or two. I often took advice on practice management but could have been open to more.
What advice can I offer? First, think twice prior to making long lasting professional decisions and never be intimidated to ask questions and get some answers from a variety of colleagues. Always save for your retirement, this is crucial for a life after chiropractic and the savings start with your first patient, insurance or attorney check. Before going into debt and incurring the ravages of excessive stress, discuss everything with your significant other (if it applies) as consequences affect the whole not just you. When at conventions and association meetings keep your wallet close to the vest before whipping out credit cards to purchase this and that and often finding a place for it in the closet or in a corner when used less than the vendor promised. Purchase what is needed. If possible, work solo, no better boss than you unless your business skills suck, then get a coach and collaborate with others. Believe in our philosophy, keep updated with your skills and appreciate your role in community wellness and our purpose is unlimited. Never look back but forward to a prosperous and pleasant future.
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So, doctor, if you had the opportunity to have that second chance, what changes would you make and if you were consulting others, what direction would you sway them. Reading what I wrote above, I would provide the same advice but probably advise them to read the day. Depending on their location, they may spend a bit more on acquiring new patients, hire a marketing person, a community liaison and have a clear path for new patients as well as maintaining those that completed their care but know better and ask to return on a timely basis. I would also have them schedule regular staff meetings and cross train their staff to assist as their practice grows. I would also advise them, meaning myself, to take advantage of the various seminars given throughout the country whether via their state association, alumni or other schools and consultants offering mentorships.
So, what would I do differently? After almost 48 years, I look back and cannot complain. I created a fun and fulfilling practice with patients and staff content with what we provided and my community reputation maintained with excellence. Possibly, I should have reached out more to community professionals such as attorneys, medical providers for their referrals and met with corporate neighbors to offer chiropractic services to their employees and provide ergonomic advice and wellness classes.
Time Now To Reflect
What Would You Advise Your Younger Self
Less Experienced and a Mere Rookie
Better Yet
What Are You Going To Change Now
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