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Seeking “business comfort” as a chiropractor is a surefire recipe for mediocrity.
Whether it’s with your marketing… your practice model… your staffing… or your overall mindset and approach to practice-growth… if you’re seeking “comfort” instead of excellence and performance, you’re sacrificing results and growth.
As best-selling author, Seth Godin, shared in his latest book Linchpin, “The road to comfort is crowded and it rarely gets you there [your desired goal]. Ironically, it’s those who seek out discomfort that are able to make a difference and find their footing.”
Now, just for clarification purposes, I’m all for seeking comfort in my personal life. In fact, I think in that area of our existence, comfort is crucial and valuable.
But, when it comes to achieving anything… especially your chiropractic practice and financial goals… getting uncomfortable is at the root of your ability to grow beyond your current levels. As Godin alluded, the comfortable path will almost never get you beyond your current situation or circumstance.
And that’s why there’s a direct correlation between your willingness to get uncomfortable and your likelihood of growing and achieving your most ambitious goals.
So, the next time you find yourself making practice-building decisions or choices based on the fear of discomfort, I want to think of this statement from Godin’s Linchpin:
“Discomfort means you’re doing something that others were unlikely to do, because they’re busy hiding out in the comfortable zone.”
This should be especially meaningful for you, when you realize that the main difference between the most successful chiropractors and the struggling average, is that the most successful docs are simply willing to do what the average docs aren’t.
Excellent post, Todd … The average majority like to play it “safe” in their comfort zones, hence their mediocre results in life. Your post reminded me of the quote “If you want to do the many things most people can’t do, simply do the few things that most people won’t do.”
So true Matt. Well put.
Todd, you hit the nail on the head. In fact, not seeking out new opportunities and challenges for DCs especially in today’s climate is an absolute recipe for disaster. Growth is uncomfortable, and often initially chaotic. Masters tame chaos, grow, and move on.
You’re totally on the money Dr. John. Growth is uncomfortable. But, it’s needed if we’re ever going to move beyond where we’re at right now. Great insights. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Todd… I often determine whether I should do something by how uncomfortable it makes me. Of course my initial response is to cower back to the average, but if I’m uncomfortable I know I’m going somewhere special. In mountain biking it’s common knowledge to take the path of least resistance. However, when creating a Rock Star Business, the path of least resistance is crowded and average.
This article definitely Rocks and you’ve got some great ideas here. Thanks…
Well put Todd, we need to get out of comfort in order to excel in practice and personal goals. Your “headspace” is critical in achieving this. Reinvest in yourself and the rewards will follow.