Do you have to be a salesman?

From time to time as you surf the Internet, you encounter the online chiropractic community. And too often you see the boards, groups, and blogs of bitter chiropractors who have come to believe that success at chiropractic is impossible.

A common theme you can detect through their resentment is that to be successful you must be a salesman; a huckster who tricks others into care, unlike apparently more reputable disciplines.

Not only is this incorrect, it contradicts the principles of success.

There are many thousands of successful chiropractors around the world, and you wouldn’t consider a single one of them a salesman. (In fact, quite the opposite.)

They do make it easy for patients to buy chiropractic care, but they don’t trick, fool, or cheat their way to success. In fact, to do so for decades is impossible. It would break every success principle in the book and produce a predictable failure.

Consider this: If you’re uncomfortable in your own skin, if your self-esteem is in the cellar, if your technical skills are subpar, or if you’re angry, then success in any endeavor will be far more challenging. These are not chiropractic flaws – they are human failings.

When it comes to the most successful chiropractors, here are seven common denominators that show up repeatedly.

Highly skilled. In short, these chiropractors deliver the goods. They are practically savants when it comes to delivering the adjustment.

Humble. Not just humble, they are often overtly self-effacing. They are quick to give credit to the patient’s ability to self- heal, rather than their own technique. They get uncomfortable when patients give them excessive praise.

Service minded. They are keenly aware that they will only get what they want after patients get what they want. They recognize that being a servant is the highest calling of all.

Quietly confident. Their years of experience give them a manner that communicates hope without speaking a word. No bragging is necessary. Every word, every move, everything about them exudes confidence and certainty.

Fastidiously honest. Every penny gets reported. They are fully present with every patient. They get to the practice early so their first fruits of the day – their first adjustments – are as focused as the last.

Self-sacrificing. To a fault, these chiropractors want to give and give and give. Sometimes even to the detriment of their families or their own health. Most will tell you this is an area of development that they’re working on.

Wise. They are keenly aware of the metaphysics and boundaries of their relationships. They don’t invest their life spirit in things they can’t control. They have an eternal vision that transcends the temporal and the superficial.

There are surely more traits the most successful DCs share in common. You may know of some others yourself. But “act like a salesman?” Hardly. Instead what comes to mind is the old adage, “Success begets success.”

Getting there is about implementing these principles. Or, if you lack the courage, you can fall prey to self-pity. Whether you think the world is malevolent or benevolent, you will find ample evidence to support your opinion. Model yourself after the winning DCs and you’ll find your prospects greatly improved.