About a third of the population are introverts. This ratio seems reflected among chiropractors as well. Since chiropractic is so relationship driven, being an introvert can have profound implications. Introverts can have a difficult path. Less communicative – Others have no idea about your analytical skills as you size up the situation. Living in your head may cause others to perceive your silence as judgment, superiority, or aloofness. Great listeners – With keen observational skills and a tendency to have a greater appreciation for subtlety and understatement, introverts are often seen as e ..read more

“It sounds like you’re an excellent candidate for chiropractic care. We’ve helped many people with problems just like yours. In fact, it’s practically routine around here. So, I think you have every reason to be hopeful. “As you look ahead and imagine your health being restored, how do you intend to use it? In other words, think of health as a resource; a potential or a means to accomplish something. “Do have an idea about what you hope to be able to do, or enjoy more, when you recover your health?” This is classic NLP future pacing, which can accomplish several things: 1. Anchor the patient ..read more

Our word choices often reveal how the world occurs to us. Consider these ways of thinking about patients: Getting patients to... Show up Value their health Do the stretches When using “get” you may be relying on your limited authority to compel patients to follow your recommendations. This may come from an unhelpful place of parental superiority. Letting patients... Miss appointments Discontinue their care Sabotage their health When using “let” you may be imagining you’re granting permission or approving something. However, you’re not offering anything their sovereign, free will agency doesn ..read more

Dear Bill, Are there any video courses on effective communication you would recommend that would upgrade my patient communications?” I’m sure they’re out there, but I’m unfamiliar with them. Unless you consider my 40-week HeadSpace Coaching program a communication course. Effective communication can be divided into two aspects: the message content and the channel or “technique” of delivering it. I see many chiropractors focusing on technique skills rather than content clarity. Whether it be a persuasive report of findings, fielding patient questions, or so-called “table talk,” these commu ..read more

As meaning making machines, we create stories to make sense of our experiences. Then, those stories run our lives. Yikes! If you’re feeling stuck, you may want to rethink some of your stories. Many chiropractors tell themselves that they’re worthless unless they’re adjusting patients: the “I need to be busy” story. This works-based notion of identity and self-worth is not only untrue; it also doesn’t permit stillness for reflection or contemplation. Then there’s the ever-popular patient waiting story. It’s not an excuse to ignore the clock, but if you’re up to something, there will be times p ..read more

I’ve frequently mentioned that curiosity can be a superpower, especially when paired with being a great listener. So, I’m often asked how one develops the skill (and it is a learned behavior) of curiosity. Here are some things I’ve observed: Perceptive – Capable of discerning subtle changes in tone, body language, and the energy of others. Excellent at pattern recognition. Awareness – There’s a macro view of the world in which they are not the center, but a participant. Growth mindset – As a lifelong learner, their diverse areas of interest make them effective generalists. Intellectually limb ..read more

Dear Bill, “Either my numbers are down and I’m twiddling my thumbs, or I’m stressed out because patients are waiting in the reception room. How do I solve this issue?” I’m not sure can. Or would want to. Chiropractors who see a steady number of visits, like you think you want, often report boredom. However, your quandary reveals two stories you’ve created that are the likely source of your perceived problem. The first story is about the meaning you attach to gaps in your schedule. I’ve addressed this in more detail elsewhere. The key is to reframe these occasional lulls in your adjustin ..read more

We stop dreaming when we seek to avoid criticism or judgment. Witness the group think of social media. The herd mentality projected by advertising. The pressure to color inside the lines. To fit in. Conform. For many, this turns life from an exciting grand adventure into a grinding, joyless slog. Need proof? Ask a few patients what they have on their bucket list. Be prepared for a blank stare or two—as if you’d just asked them to donate one of their kidneys. And what’s on your bucket list? Not your statistical goals or the condition of your retirement nest egg. What are your dreams? What do y ..read more

A term I frequently hear during private consultations is the word “busy” or its sibling, busier. As in “I want to be busier.” It’s not a particularly good objective. Because we can be busy doing the wrong things. We can be busy doing unprofitable things. We can be busy to avoid the hard things. We can be busy, so we don't have to be alone with our thoughts. Make no mistake, there are many busy chiropractors. So busy they may have a new patient waiting list. Which is ironic since their goal was never to be busy—but merely to serve patients! If the motive behind being busier is to increase your ..read more

It’s tempting to imagine that a better life (or practice) will manifest by adding this or that to the mix. Our culture seems fixated on the latest and greatest. Granted it fuels our consumption economy, but is there actually a void that needs to be filled? Adding procedures, processes, and gadgets gives the impression we’re in action. Improving things. Besides inviting complexity, creating noise and adding friction, it also increases the opportunity for breakdowns. In the same way patients don’t have an aspirin shortage, you don’t have a gizmo shortage. If your closet, cupboards and drawers r ..read more