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Most of our chiropractors don’t know this about me…
About 6 weeks ago I decided to get a little “old school” and jump back into intense weight training.
When I was in my early to mid-twenties I was actually a pretty successful national-level bodybuilder. You’d never know it now looking at me, but in my hay-day I was actually featured on a fitness TV show and was written up in Flex magazine.
Today, my renewed enthusiasm for weight training is mainly for health purposes, an outlet for some stress, and a slight boost to the old self-esteem.
What does my expanded waistline and fitness regimen have to do with you, your chiropractic practice, and your personal and professional success?
I’m glad you asked.
In my competitive days, I learned a life-changing lesson about success that has continued to impact and aid me every day (to this very day)… especially when it comes to the achievement of business and financial goals and aspirations.
I can honestly say… this one lesson has probably been more responsible for my business success to date than any other success-related lesson I’ve ever learned.
You see, as a competitive athlete I kept a journal of every workout, every exercise, and every weight I lifted in the gym. It was a source of accountability for me that showed me… with hard numbers… whether I was progressing week-to-week or not.
But it wasn’t those numbers that taught me the lesson. It was what was on the inside cover of the journal (and what I did with what was on the inside) that changed my life.
On the inside front cover of my exercise journal I had taped a quote that I had ripped out of a fitness magazine from a fellow athlete who struggled and persevered in the face of great odds to finally achieve his professional status.
The quote read, “If I can discipline myself more than the next guy, I will some day beat him.”
As an athlete who worked extremely hard, both in and out of the gym, and who was an extremely “hard gainer”, I admired this professional athletes work ethic, focus, commitment, and accomplishments.
And so, I embraced his attitude of self-discipline with my weight training, cardio, nutrition, supplementation, and rest.
Now… here’s where the life-changing lesson takes place…
In my first bodybuilding competition I placed 3rd behind a competitor I knew, FM, who took 2nd, even though he didn’t work that hard at preparing.
In my next bodybuilding competition I placed 2nd behind that same competitor, FM, who now took 1st… again, even though he didn’t train that hard or follow a super-strict nutritional program.
In my next two competitions I placed 1st. Only in those competitions, my now nemesis, FM, didn’t compete. So, even though I won those two shows, it felt kind of like my victories were more because of his absence than my improvement.
For the next 5 years I didn’t compete again.
Instead, I remained extremely disciplined with my workouts and nutrition… reviewing frequently the quote from the inside cover of my journal – “If I can discipline myself more than the next guy, I will some day beat him.”
Finally, after a half a decade lay-off from competition, I decided it was time to jump back in and see what all of my hard-work, dedication, and discipline had done for me.
And, wouldn’t you know it…
FM, decided to compete in the very same show I was now set to compete in as my “comeback” event. Of course, he still wasn’t training that hard or adhering to a super-strict diet. I was, of course.
Well, this competition turned out very different…
This time around, my discipline paid off.
FM took 2nd. I took 1st.
I went on after that show to compete on the national level, while FM called it quits.
It was a perfect example of what happens when that journal quote is lived out – “If I can discipline myself more than the next guy, I will some day beat him.”
And I did.
Today, I believe the same results are awaiting those chiropractors who are willing to embrace the idea that if they discipline themselves more than the next chiropractor – when it comes to business-building, marketing, and income-generating tasks, strategies and tactics – they will some day outperform them.
Fact is: you don’t have to be the savviest chiropractic business-builder, the most persuasive chiropractic marketer, or have the most capital or best office location.
You just have to be willing to discipline yourself more than your chiropractic competition.
Are you willing to do that?
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I’ve noticed that quite a lot of people who are successful business people where previously good athletes or competitiors in some other field first. It does seem to be discipline is a trait to be copied.
Thank you for that story
Great observation Chris. I think you’re totally correct on the whole “discipline” thing. It’s really required for us to be successful in any venture.