Thank God it’s Monday,

One of the most undermining human behaviors is procrastination. The inability to start or to take action on the tasks that are likely to yield great results in your life is by definition, procrastination. So why do we struggle with procrastination? Do we enjoy suffering and struggling? When we procrastinate, that is what we experience.

Everyone one experiences procrastination to some degree.

As humans, we often avoid things that are likely to cause us pain. This is a good thing if it prevents us from getting hurt, but not so much if it is going to have a negative impact on our lives. If a task is going to require us to get uncomfortable and put us in a vulnerable position, we will procrastinate. Most of the time, we will look at the list of things we need to do and tackle the easiest of tasks first. We then use the excuse, “I was to busy to get to it.” When in reality, we purposely chose to avoid what was going to make us uncomfortable.

A recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article pointed out that we do this in every aspect of our society. Even our leaders are procrastinating doing what is required to protect our very future as a country in the face of catastrophic financial ruin. Why is it that everyone knows that the amount of the national debt is unsustainable and eventually will lead to a lot of pain for our country (SEE GREECE) and yet no one has the courage to do anything about it? This is the path our country is on.

Even though we can’t do anything about our national debt we certainly can control our world. Here are some of the suggestions that were made in the WSJ article to avoid procrastination.

Here are some of my favorites, as published by the WSJ:

•  Break a long-term project down into specific sub-goals. State the exact start time and how long you plan to work on the task. (not just “tomorrow”, be more specific)

•  Just get started. It isn’t necessary to write a long list of tasks, or each intermediate step.

•  Remind yourself that finishing the task now, helps you in the future. Putting off the task won’t make it more enjoyable.

•  Reward yourself not only for completing the entire project but also the sub-goals.

I would also add, avoiding procrastination requires you to have clearly defined goals, a passion, and a desire to grow and not be ok with mediocrity. You need leverage on yourself. Why do you want to accomplish your goal? Whose life will be improved and why? Does this fulfill your purpose? Is your cause greater then yourself? You also need an accountability partner who will be there to offer support.

Get started today. Put your most important task at the top. Do it first thing in the morning. Once completed, it will increase your self-worth and increase your “can do” attitude. Do this daily and soon procrastination will never dominate your life.

Have an abundant and inspired week,

Thank God it’s Monday,

I recently had the pleasure to listen to Lou Holtz, former Notre Dame football coach. He was talking about leadership. He touched on the 4 basic needs that everyone within an organization needs to feel safe and happy.

1. Something to do.

2. Someone to love.

3. Something to hope for.

4. Something to believe in.

When you think about it, these are the core needs for everyone to experience fulfillment. It is no different for organizations. There must be a core belief system in place that guides every organization in order to be successful. These core beliefs attract the right employees, defines your brand, and creates your tribe or following.

When a team or organization has a passion (love) for who they are and what they believe in, it creates a purpose bigger than our own. This results in a clear action plan (The do) to see that the organization’s purpose becomes reality. A strong purpose will overcome any obstacle allowing us to reframe challenges as opportunities to learn from and become even stronger. Therefore, hope is the dominate emotion and energy.

Now is a great time to take stock and evaluate the current state of your practice or organization. Does your organization have a clearly defined purpose? Can everyone in your organization articulate the purpose? Are they in love with Chiropractic/your business? Are your daily activities consistent with your purpose or are you constantly putting out fires? Constantly putting out fires, is symptom of a practice out of purpose. Finally, is your culture one of hope and excitement for the future of chiropractic and your business.

If you answered negatively to any of these questions, it is time for a reboot. Lets begin by looking at this together so you can move forward in 2016.

You were born to be great. You invested a lot of time and money to make a difference in your communities and the world. You can’t lack these 4 essential needs if you are to maximize your return on that investment. Lets make sure you are prepared to make this a reality.

Have an abundant and inspired week,

Thank God it’s Monday,

Please consider this commonly held myth within Chiropractic. “If people knew what you knew, they would do what you do.”

This belief often traps Doctors into a belief system that people within your community just need to be educated on Chiropractic and they will come running to your office. Does that mean all we need to do are more lectures and screenings? Well, if you have been in practice for any length of time you know that a plethora of dead files of folks who were once educated on the benefits of care fill a large room in your office.

So, where are they? Why do you still have a need for new patients? See what I mean?

The fact is, patients don’t always follow your advice. That’s ok. Not everyone is ready from the get-go to radically change their lifestyle. Everything you told them made perfect sense but change is hard. That is why it is critical to meet your patients where they are at. Honor and respect their decisions and don’t make them wrong if you feel they have not accepted your recommendations.

Continue to love them. Keep in regular contact with them by providing them with a constant stream of health and wellness info that will further their paradigm shift. Eventually some will get it, but some will never get it. That’s ok. Serve without judgment. Make your office a safe zone that respects the decisions of everyone. They are more likely to return at a later date.

This will reduce your stress and disappointment. Patients will no longer avoid you when you see them around town. You both will finally be free.

Have an abundant and inspired week,

Thank God it’s Monday,

How many of you have realized that our world is rapidly changing in every way? The way we do business, the way we communicate, the way we travel, grow our food, shop, even our values as a nation are changing. Everything! Nothing will ever be the way it was before.

You maybe asking, hasn’t it always been that way? The answer is yes, but not like now. Not at speed in which this change is occurring. The only question remaining, will you be a part of those continuing changes or merely one who is impacted by them?

If you are doing business the same way you did 5 years ago, you are being impacted and seriously falling behind. If you are looking at your finances the same way, you are missing some great opportunities. Take a look at everything you are doing. What is working? What is not working? What needs to change? It is time to ride this tsunami of massive change or be left behind.

There is never been a better time to be in business. The opportunities are endless. Watch what the most successful people are doing and copy them. The ability to impact your communities and the world have never been easier. Society rewards those who dare to be bold.

Have an abundant and inspired week,