If you want to assist patients, know the keys to self-discipline.
All chiropractors (and even non-chiropractors) who run their own facilities in the industry are continually seeking opportunities for improvement. A self-discipline regimen to clear your mind is one way to make yourself feel better and improve office morale. As a bonus, it can also give you a better understanding of your patients’ needs.
Mindfulness matters
After waking up, take part in some sort of gratitude exercise. You can refresh yourself by taking 10 minutes in the morning to be thankful through prayer or mediation, or with a journal to write down your thoughts. You can find great relief in recapping events of the day before or mapping out your plans and goals for the day to come. These moments can be therapeutic and certainly help as you prepare to head out. It helps relieve the stress of feeling everything on your mind.
Master your meals
Sticking to a strict diet may not be fun, but it’s necessary for your well-being. If you feel like you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re probably not eating properly either. Consume ample protein throughout the day to get enough energy. Don’t eat too late at night, as your body is winding down from the day and preparing to sleep.
If you can, stick to protein, vegetables, and “live” foods, most of which you’ll find on the periphery of the grocery store. Free-range chicken or buffalo are good sources of lean protein to keep your energy up. Try to eat as much raw food as possible. When on the road, eat high-quality protein bars and vegetarian shakes if you’re rushed. Limit your dairy, grain, and gluten intake. A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything that comes in a box.
Strive for strength
When it comes to practicing what you preach, the No. 1 best practice is daily exercise. You advise your patients on the importance of daily exercise for their healing and wellness, but it also benefits you. You don’t need to exercise for hours a day—all you need is 20 to 30 minutes. A high-intensity workout can maximize your available time.
Look for strength training machines that have minimal friction. You can do one set on eight different machines for a total of eight sets. It takes considerable discipline to get the full benefit of a hyperintense workout, but it will save you time and you will see results.
Need for knowledge
Taking 25 minutes a day to read helps your mind, which in turn helps your practice. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Read anything, whether about plumbing, pets, or sports; but read something informative. You don’t think you have enough time in your day to sit down and read? Books on tape work as well, which you can listen to while working out at the gym or driving to work.
Another thing to consider making part of your daily discipline is a team huddle. On the way to work, take time to think of something over the past 24 hours that made an impact on you. Share it with your team in that huddle, and ask them to make similar observations or describe their goals. Then switch up these gatherings and invite different team members each day to share their inspirations. This might sound a little uncomfortable, but if you don’t push your boundaries, you won’t grow.
Time to treat
Rewarding yourself is a key part of self-discipline. You aren’t going to reach all your goals at once, so treating yourself every now and then isn’t a bad thing. But after the reward, get back to work because you want to finish what you start. Don’t make excuses like, “I’ll wait for the weather to change” or “I’ll get to it tomorrow.” Start now.
Finally, you can always gain instant satisfaction by spending time with your family. Ditch the phones and other mobile devices for an hour a day. Talk to your spouse, significant others, and your kids. Find out about their days—the good and the bad. Tell them about your day, too, and tell them how important they are to you.
Chris Tomshack, DC, is the founder of HealthSource Chiropractic, the world’s largest chiropractic franchise with 360 clinics nationwide. Based in Cleveland, HealthSource Chiropractic provides patients with progressive rehabilitation by offering physical therapy and chiropractic services as a solution for pain relief. Tomshack can be contacted ugh healthsourcechiro.com.
