Your New Hobby, by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Wednesday, March 18th 2009

Warm hellos to everyone!

Last week's THOT must have pushed some buttons
- good ones - because I received tons of e-mails! Almost
everyone like the idea of Chiropractic being a hobby.

So....let's develop this a bit further!

I found it surprising that you do not think in that vein. Many of you
think of what you do as a Chiropractor in terms of a J.O.B - something
you do to make money in order to support your family, your desires,
your playthings, and your lifestyle. Something which is incredibly close
to a term called "Work."

And, of course, we all know how we feel about "work", don't we?

The word "work" conjures up all those unpleasant emotions and memories
of toil, strife, earning your pay, you once experienced when you had your
summer job to pay for college - and often you hated it. But.....you did it
anyway because it was a means to an end you had in mind. Your discomfort
was minimized by the wonderful goal you held in your heart - you were going
to help tons of people when you finally graduated! Yes! It was awesome!!!
You couldn't wait! But...that loathsome job had to come first!

So you placed it in your heart next to taking out the garbage, walking the
dog, shoveling the driveway, and other activities that simply did not move
your crank!
The problem is that when you started practice and had to go to the office,
it appeared incredibly close to "going to work" - Similar emotions! So now,
this amazing practice you've longed for, all of a sudden, is beginning to look
similar to your past jobs.

It even feels similar. And somehow drudgery comes to mind. But you now
need to do this because you don't know anything else and people tell you
that you can make tons of
money doing what you do. The problem is that it is not turning out that way!

You'd much rather play golf - if you could afford it, of course. Or drive your
Porsche - if you had one. Or that Ferrari. Right! Or take that Caribbean cruise.
Or wax your new car. Or take your wife to pick out that wonderful diamond ring
she so rightly deserves for putting up with you! Or go to the beach.
Or .......whatever pleases you!

Hey.........Doesn't this sound awfully close to a "HOBBY?"

A Hobby! You like that! Absolutely! You can hobby day and night! And you
are incredibly good at your hobby! You are the bloody best! You never get
tired! No one can touch you!

One dictionary defines "hobby" as: "An activity or interest pursued outside
one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure."
Pretty cool! Pleasure! You're all over it!

But.....let's pause for a moment. Let's consider changing your perception:
What if the tables were turned? What if what you did as a chiropractor
became your "hobby?" What if you could derive incredible pleasure from
being a chiro?
And what if you did this primarily for pleasure? Would it move your crank now?
I think so!

I remember when I was in practice only 5 years ago, I would to tell my
patients that this was my hobby - my life was with my family. My hobby
was Chiropractic!
"Bob, don't you give me a hard time, because hobbies can change. Know what I mean?"

You see, when you see what you do in light of doing this for pleasure, all
that "work" stressand crap seems to disappear - you do not need it. You
begin to practice from the perspective that you are there to look after your
patients, not to grovel and pay bills. It is a very freeing concept!

You begin to practice from the perspective that people need you, you
do not need them - you are not needy! I like that!
So, my hope for all of you is that you decide to change your perception.
Take up a new hobby - Chiropractic!
Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel