How to Safeguard Your Chiropractic Practice in a Web 2.0 World

In my last post, we discussed the importance of having an efficient system in order to manage, grow and maintain a successful chiropractic practice. If chosen correctly, it should provide a complete turnkey method and many years of prosperity.

However, just because your system is rock solid doesn’t mean that your life will be perfect. As an entrepreneur, you have to strive for new levels in every area of your life.

To understand this concept further, I encourage you to invest in FOCUS: Achieving Your Highest Priorities by FranklinCovey.

As the FranklinCovey website states:

With this self-directed audio workshop, you will begin a process and journey to a new way of thinking about time management. You’ll learn how to identify – and Focus – on the tasks and priorities that matter most so that you can deliver maximum results everyday.

I like what Stephen Covey says about this self-guided workshop.

The greatest value of the process is not what it does to your schedule, but what it does to your head - Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Now, before you think that I’ve lost focus on this series’ title, bare with me. Remember, a foundation needs to be laid before we can address any Web 2.0 strategies. Your mindset is extremely important in the ultimate success of your chiropractic practice.

Another powerful concept that Dr. Covey explains in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw.

It means to preserve and enhance the greatest asset you have — you. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual.

In other words, if you don’t learn to take care of yourself, you’ll never be able to fully take care of others. This may sound selfish but when you really think about it, it’s not. You’ll never be that loving spouse, nurturing parent, concerned neighbor or passionate chiropractor without having a balanced program for self-renewal.

There are many ways to accomplish this but since I’m melancholy, Stephen Covey’s method works good for me. His system walks you through values clarification, identifying and defining your roles in life and then setting your priorities and schedule based off of your life roles.

Since time management is an oxymoron, it really comes down to self-management. And, to be quite honest, the most difficult person to manage and lead is yourself.

Nevertheless, the rewards far outweigh the discipline. Any successful entrepreneur will attest to that. Just read the classics from great minds like Napolean Hill, W. Clement Stone, Orison Swett Marden or Earl Nightingale. Or, take your pick from our contemporaries like John C. Maxwell, Bill Hybels, Steven K. Scott or Ken Blanchard.

But, whatever you do, start today. Invest in yourself — physically, socially/emotionally, mentally and spiritually. If you do, you’ll add another piece to the puzzle of safeguarding not only your chiropractic practice but also your life.