Chiropractors face numerous challenges, but surprisingly, the greatest adversaries are not the insurance companies, government regulations, or external pressures. Instead, these enemies are internal, within the chiropractor’s own mind and behavior. The key to success in practice, as in life, is not only in identifying these enemies but in overcoming them. Dr. Tory Robson explains the four primary enemies of a chiropractor: laziness, weakness, being cheap, and stupidity. Mastering these enemies is crucial for building a successful and fulfilling practice.
1. Laziness: The Silent Saboteur
Laziness is the first enemy that chiropractors must confront. In practice, laziness can manifest in various ways, from procrastinating important tasks to avoiding the effort required for self-improvement. Chiropractors may delay actions that could move their practice forward, such as investing in marketing, staying updated with new techniques, or simply taking the time to interact meaningfully with patients.
Laziness isn’t just about inaction—it’s about not pushing oneself to do more, to be better. For chiropractors, this might mean settling for “good enough” rather than striving for excellence. It’s easy to fall into a routine of just getting by, but those who want to excel must constantly push themselves beyond their comfort zone. It’s not about waiting for motivation. Real progress comes when you develop the habit of consistent action, regardless of how you feel.
To defeat laziness, chiropractors need to remind themselves daily of their goals and the reasons they entered the profession in the first place. Whether it’s a passion for helping others, financial independence, or building a legacy, keeping the bigger picture in mind can inspire action and break the cycle of complacency.
How to Overcome Laziness:
- Set clear, actionable goals for yourself.
- Break larger tasks into manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Find an accountability partner or mentor to keep you on track.
- Celebrate small wins to maintain momentum.
2. Weakness: The Struggle to Stand Firm
Weakness, the second enemy, is more about the inability to stand firm in one’s decisions and actions. Chiropractors often encounter situations where they must assert themselves, whether it’s dealing with difficult patients, negotiating with staff, or even handling family dynamics. Being weak means allowing others to dictate your actions, which erodes self-esteem and personal authority.
Weakness is not just about physical or emotional strength; it’s about having the courage to say no and stand by your convictions. Many chiropractors may feel pressured by external influences—whether from a spouse, patient, or even a child—but giving in too easily leads to dissatisfaction and burnout.
The key to overcoming weakness is building confidence. Confidence comes from knowing your worth, trusting your knowledge, and being prepared to face challenges head-on. Chiropractors must learn to stand their ground, make informed decisions, and trust their instincts.
How to Overcome Weakness:
- Practice setting boundaries with patients, staff, and even loved ones.
- Build confidence by continually improving your knowledge and skills.
- Work with a mentor or coach to strengthen your leadership abilities.
- Take small risks to build resilience and self-assurance.
3. Cheapness: The Cost of Underinvesting in Yourself and Your Practice
Being cheap is the third enemy, and it can have a detrimental impact on both personal and professional growth. Cheapness doesn’t just refer to being frugal with money—it’s about underinvesting in the things that matter, such as education, professional development, or even patient care. Many chiropractors make the mistake of thinking they are saving money by not spending on consultants, training, or better equipment, but in reality, they are limiting their potential for growth.
Consider this: by investing a small amount into learning better business practices or improving patient retention strategies, a chiropractor could exponentially increase their revenue and success. The return on investment from professional coaching or consulting can be as high as 8,000%. Yet, many chiropractors resist these opportunities due to a “cheap” mindset, missing out on significant long-term benefits.
Overcoming cheapness involves understanding the value of investing in oneself and the practice. The most successful chiropractors are those who continually learn and evolve, recognizing that spending on personal growth, staff training, or better systems is not an expense, but an investment.
How to Overcome Cheapness:
- Reframe investments in education, consulting, and equipment as necessary for growth.
- Regularly assess the return on investment (ROI) from past purchases or training.
- Prioritize spending on areas that will directly improve patient outcomes and business efficiency.
- Seek advice from financial experts or mentors to make smart investment decisions.
4. Stupidity: The Result of Poor Decision-Making
The fourth and final enemy is stupidity, a harsh but accurate term used to describe poor decision-making. Stupidity manifests when chiropractors make ill-informed or impulsive decisions that harm their practice. Whether it’s not taking the time to memorize patient scripts, setting poorly thought-out fees, or mishandling finances, these missteps can be costly.
Stupidity often stems from a failure to utilize the intellectual faculties that every chiropractor possesses. Factors like memory, perception, reasoning, and willpower are essential for making smart, calculated decisions. Chiropractors who neglect these faculties find themselves making repeated mistakes, such as underpricing services, neglecting to follow up with patients, or ignoring the importance of consistent staff training.
To overcome this enemy, chiropractors must make the commitment to sharpen their intellectual faculties continually. This means being willing to learn from mistakes, investing in education, and seeking guidance from trusted advisors like accountants or practice consultants.
How to Overcome Stupidity:
- Take time to think through major decisions and consult experts when necessary.
- Stay informed about the latest industry trends and best practices.
- Implement systems for tracking patient care, finances, and staff performance.
- Learn from past mistakes and adjust strategies accordingly.
What are the 4 Enemies of a Chiropractor: Winning the Internal Battle
The four enemies of a chiropractor—laziness, weakness, cheapness, and stupidity—are battles that must be fought internally every day. By confronting these adversaries head-on, chiropractors can build thriving practices and lead fulfilling professional lives. The key lies in taking consistent action, building confidence, investing in oneself, and making well-informed decisions.
In the end, every chiropractor’s success is determined not by external forces but by their ability to conquer these internal enemies. By developing discipline, strength, a willingness to invest, and intelligent decision-making, chiropractors can create the practice—and the life—of their dreams. The battle is ongoing, but with the right mindset, it’s a battle that can be won.
Also read: How to Choose the Right Chiropractor Coach
About:
Dr. Tory Robson of Winners Edge Chiropractic Consulting, specializes in teaching new doctors to start with style and success.
Our new doctor Start-Up program has helped countless DCs become the most successful in their area in an incredibly short period of time. We teach existing doctors our current, relevant, and brutally effective practice, marketing, business and MONEY FLOW systems so they can grow and prosper more than they ever thought possible. $100,000 or more per month for a solo DC is common here.
We even help retiring doctors maximize their practice and life as they exit the profession. Where to practice, layout design, all procedures, codes, fees, care plans, volume, philosophy, scripting, staffing, internal marketing, social media, website secrets, all business, accounting, taxes, debt elimination, saving, wealth creation, and how to create an exceptional chiropractic life are just the beginning of what we have for the service minded and result focused chiropractor!
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