That First Step

On January 15 of this year, I had no idea, no inclination, no directive thought that 2013 was to be the year of building my dream office.

But on January 16, things beagn to click. Gears began to turn. The dream and vision I held in my heart for so long began on that day to take shape.

Looking back, it's all so interesting how it started and how the spark ignited into a life-changing wildfire. Here's the spark, right here. A spark in the form of an email to my banker:

Hi Scott,

Have you hit the Megabucks jackpot yet?  Just want to first thank you again for all your help with my accounts and the quick service today before you left for Vegas with the savings account.

I just got home from the gym and after I passed your branch, I turned into the parking lot of the HawaiiUSA building.  As you've probably noticed, the office space next to the Hearing Aid practice is vacant.  I just had this overwhelming feeling that I needed to at least make some moves to see if I could bring my practice to that spot.

So my question to you is: What would it take, at this point, to raise my line of credit to $100K and secure a business loan for $75K?  My personal credit is not stellar and the Honor Box brings in a steady, but not sky-high income. . .

But are there any possible options out there?

I just had this feeling tonight that I would regret it so much if that office space got snatched up before I gave it a try-- especially if another chiropractor moved in there.

I know you're on vacation having fun, so just get back to me after you return.  Have a great time in Vegas!

Mahalo for everything,

Doc

The practice before it was even built. What I saw on January 16. (PHOTO: nicolesphotoworks.com)

Everything starts with a first step. Timing is key and sometimes we take that first step, but the time is not right -- for whatever reason. There are those times, however, when the time is right and we take that first step and things all come together. Things fall into place. That's how dreams come true and miracles happen.

The Efficiency Trap

When I first started my chiropractic practice, I had a goal of adjusting 1000 patients over the course of a week.  There were other doctors in Hawaii who were hitting this mark and I aspired to be like them.

I have since crossed this goal off my list.  Not because I achieved it.  Not because I dejectedly deem it to be an impossible dream.

I no longer shoot for the 1000 PV/week milestone because I realize that to achieve this goal I would have to become extremely efficient.  My chiropractic practice would need to become a model of efficiency.

Wait a minute.  What's wrong with that?

Well, in a highly efficient chiropractic practice, patients need to flow in and out of the office like clockwork. Patients would need to hop on and off my adjusting table like parts on an assembly line. There's no time to chat.  No time to ask questions.  No time to consider new, original procedures to make healing more effective.  In a sad way, patients almost cease to be people-- just spines to be worked on.

The problem with focusing on efficiency is that it very often diminishes a person's desire and capacity to focus on effectiveness.

When you are constantly thinking about how many possible patients you can cram into your practice's schedule book, it's easy to start to neglect the unique needs of each individual patient.

As each patient gets treated more and more the same way with streamlined policies and techniques with little variation among those adjusted, the efficient practice becomes more like a factory than a clinic of effective healing.

An Application of Resolution Pressure

I have three goals to accomplish in 2011.

I'll share one of them:

I will weigh 157 pounds by 12/31/2011.

There.  It's out there.  Now, to do it or end up looking a bit weak and foolish.  I'm very accountable now-- to everyone who reads this post.

My plan:

• 10,000 steps a day
• Workout 3X's a week
• Drink 100 ounces of water a day
• No rice, no bread, no sugar
• Daily nutritional supplementation
• Regular chiropractic adjustments and regular massages
• At least 6.5 hours of sleep a night

That's it.  Seven components of the plan.  Simple, but not easy.