BBQ Personality, by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Wednesday, June 17th 2009

Warm hellos to everyone,

I've come back for another "chit-chat" with all of you...just couldn't stay away! :)

There is something very important that I want to talk to all of you about,
and that is your personality in your clinic.

Many of you feel that you need to constantly stay in "the zone" when you
are adjusting patients - you don't want any interruptions, don't talk, 
occasionally grunt, and would like to remain totally focused as you adjust
one patient after the other.
...Almost like a well-oiled machine, an automaton, a robot.

See... the problem with practicing in this manner is that the atmosphere
and tone you set in your office is most often very sombre and low. It is quiet,
you have classical music playing and there is little dialogue....and your
patients are comatose!

Listen... you need to GROW UP....or even better, BECOME A KID! There! I
like that much better!

Doctors, you want to get across the point that subluxations are no laughing matter,
but you forget that this should have already been covered and handled in the
beginning - in the first few visits. Otherwise why would patients be in your office? 

And if your office tone is normally low key and BORING, why would people want
to come and see you? Think about this for a moment: When you are out with
your family or friends and you're laughing and having a great time, at the end
of the day you probably say to yourself "Wow, I can't wait to do that again" right?
It feels good!
Patients are no different!

Why would a patient, who is already suffering from some serious condition,
want to be part of an office atmosphere that constantly brings down their already
sombre mood?

Listen up Doctors! Take off your white lab coats! Take off your ties, and your
stuffy attitude!
You are a Chiropractor. You are different than the medical profession and you
need to show the World that you are! Start giving everyone a reason to think so!

Not only do you want to show everyone that you know your "stuff," but it would
be great to show people that your attitude is not as constipated as an M.D. either!

In our office, we had flamenco music playing - high energy music, candies
for everyone, puppets, a "spare parts" department, bright colors everywhere,
people laughing, and a doctor that wore Hawaiian shirts, khaki pants and
neon-yellow Nikes! Patients would even dance with the doctor right in the
middle of our adjusting room!

All the old ladies were ALWAYS his girlfriends, his favourite suckers were always
eaten first, chocolates were handed out, contests were always going, and patients
always complimented us by saying they couldn't wait to see us again and
told us how much they enjoyed coming in!
Now THAT is a FUN office!

...and if you think for a moment that my Dad wasn't totally on purpose and
focussed in the midst of all that, you don't know him!

If you don't wake up in the morning on fire and ready to go into your office,
then you aren't having enough fun doing what you're doing. Period.

Show patients you LOVE what you do!! They will become more dedicated to
you as a result.
Everyone loves seeing a doctor who is passionate about what he /she does!
Make sure you're always smiling, giving people hugs (if you don't do this
because you're afraid of the reaction, get over yourself) and laughing.

Your personality in office should be the same as if you were out at a BBQ
with your friends. 
You're relaxed, easy going, smiling, laughing, and as a result, spending
quality time (doesn't have to be quantity) with those that surround you.

Be your true self in your office. It is YOUR office! Wear what you are comfortable
in (as long as you don't look like you've just rolled out of bed!) and find music
that makes your feet M.O.V.E! No elevator music (ugh...gag me!) or classical
stuff (unless your want to revive your staff and patients later). Upbeat, fun music!

Ask your staff and patients to get involved. Ask how you could make your
office atmosphere fun and exciting! Ask if they can comment honestly
about your personality!  (that's a tough one).

Remember, be the kid inside you that I know wants to get out! You have to be a nut!!

Above all - have fun doing what you do!

Until next time,
Christie