The adaptor factor

Health is the ability of a living organism to adapt to its environment.

The same definition holds true for healthy businesses, organizations, and professions. Healthy versions of each are able – and willing – to adapt when necessary. They have what’s called “the adaptor factor.”

Those who are unable – or unwilling – to adapt will mostly likely falter, fail, and fade away. This happens all too often in the chiropractic profession.

The challenges today in the business, economic, and healthcare worlds require organizations and individuals to either step up or step out. They have to adapt or deteriorate.

Take, for example, the case of a young DC in Minnesota, who was collecting a good amount and had about 45 new patients. He now has 151 scheduled this week, with 11 new patients and 11 reports of findings on the books.

What do you think this chiropractor has done differently than those less successful? First, he has stepped up and stepped out into his community. He ensures people know how stress adversely affects their health. People need to know how dangerous the stresses of life really are.

He has made himself available and spoken to his community about solutions to their current health challenges. He brings a message that focuses on coaching people to wellness, increasing energy, and other factors that will keep them healthy.

Do you think people may be feeling drained or bogged down these days? The answer is yes.

Do you think a chiropractic lifestyle could help that? Absolutely.

So who needs to be willing and able to tell them this? You do!

Successful marketing of your practice (or any business) is about providing timely and effective solutions to people’s problems.

The chiropractor mentioned above was also willing and disciplined to follow a proven, pre-determined approach. Because marketing is so crucial and time consuming it must be a system – just like you should have a billing system, an accounting system, and a patient education system.

Everyone likes to build “referral- driven” practices. However, the questions that routinely get asked from students, new doctors, and even experienced ones, tend to be centered on external marketing challenges.

Realize and accept this: When it comes to external marketing in chiropractic, there are no home runs or magic bullets. So, rather than continually seeking that home run, as so many seem to do, adapt and focus on base hits instead. That’s what the DC in Minnesota is doing. And that’s what you should be doing, too.

Are you adapting? Are you systematized? Are you base hitting? Or are you trying to use approaches and a mindset that worked five to 10 years ago?

The late Stephen Covey said, “There are three constants in life: change, choice, and principles.” The chiropractic principles do not change, but you must adapt the way they are introduced and applied in this ever- changing world. It’s an ongoing choice.

As you experience the “winds” of practice start-up, healthcare change, economy challenges, etc., keep this quote from Jim Rohn in mind: “It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go.”

Adopt an attitude of having “the adaptor factor.”