Alison's Power Tips (From the Lion's of Chiropractic Talk)
Give yourself a “Power Recycle”
From a talk to Lion’s of Chiropractic, May 2020
Recently we may have been “turned off”, and just like a power recycle (what the computer nerds call turning the computer on and off so it can reboot) it can be a bit tricky when you want to get started again.
So here are my Top Five Power Tips for You,
And my Top Twelve Power Tips for your Practice Members, during this time of corona.
Remember the definition of Corona:
The gaseous envelope around a planet that gives a pearly glow.
Something suggesting a crown.
For you:
Power Tip 1:
“Heal thyself!” Honour what has come up for you, both the challenges and blessings (as per Demartini) as both will be there. Then look beneath that: why did you notice these things? (Hint, they will most likely be your highest values).
Power Tip 2:
This new stuff can be tiring: your brain needs to rewire, but remember Hebb’s Law (about making new pathways). Support this by: getting checked, meditating, having a cuppa, daydreaming, moving your body (to the point of endorphins), letting the ‘thots’ come and getting back into a routine: your brain loves a habit, so soothe yourself with this.
Power Tip 3:
Acknowledge the stages of grief in yourself and other and move forward in your own time, this is not a competition.
Power Tip 4:
It’s time to look at your purpose. Why are you doing what you do?
Purpose > Policy > Procedure > Product
Look at your values from Tip 1: they will help you craft a SOP
Power Tip 5:
Forgive yourself for what you didn’t do in iso, or at let it GO. What you did do is what you actually value (not what you feel you ‘should): that could be time out, family time, rest, switching off, nurturing yourself, working on your business, exercising etc. Whatever it was, notice and acknowledge it and then do more of it going forward. (This is the most extraordinary time for self evaluation, so let’s use it).
For your Practice Members:
Power Tip 1:
Support them personally: allow them the space to see how they are in your office- fearful, relaxed, coping, crying, laughing, overwhelmed etc. Our job is to soothe their sympathetics. Remember to use the Stairway to Heaven and get in rapport, then pace and lead.
Power Tip 2:
Be deliberate with your word choices: make sure you are using the chiropractic lexicon. Be aware of the new language: Covid vs the corona ('Rona), pivot, new normal etc. Avoid the warlike terminology and use supportive words: nourished, cared for, secure, honour yourself, freedom to choose, do it your way, you’ve got this, your POWER, your innate intelligence etc.
Power Tip 3:
Empower them: eg “whatever you say doc”. Do not allow them to abdicate their power. Remind them they know what’s best for them. Remind them they have innate intelligence that’s been running them since before they were born. Let’s work together for Your greater good, not THE greater good.
Power Tip 4:
Get them to create their own narrative. Notice, and call them on the disempowering ones.
Author Michael Lewis (on a Podcast with Tim Ferris) on the stories we tell ourselves: “…you’ve got to be very careful about how you tell these stories because it starts to become you. You are—in the way you craft your narrative—crafting your character. And so I decided, “I am going to adopt as my narrative, that I’m the happiest person anybody knows.” And it is amazing how happy-inducing it is.”
Power Tip 5:
Remind them they are “more powerful than they have ever been permitted to believe”.
Power Tip 6:
Keep it all very simple (and avoid overwhelm). Look at your Initial/ROF: what’s the minimum info they need to start? Let’s not overwhelm people any more.
Power Tip 7:
Hand outs and ‘Rona care packs’ so the impact of their time with you is longer than the short time they are in your office. Let’s help people to BE better.
Power Tip 8:
Don’t be crazy with all of the theories. ONLY once you have paced: can you lead to some new ideas about health and dis-ease, and that’s more important than trying to figure out what is going on here, or what makes logical sense. Be the safe place for your people to land.
Power Tip 9:
Give them homework (people are do-ers, so let’s help them)
eg: have a cuppa, go for a walk, look at a flower
eg: Support local businesses…Give them some ideas of what they can do: vouchers, local products etc (most people are helpers- allow them to shine)
Power Tip 10:
Get them reflecting on this time: ask for their best and worst of this time (it will also tell you their values, so you can then communicate to that, and make your time more impactful for them.)
Power Tip 11:
Give clear recommendations, and don’t engage in ‘maybe’. Get everyone on an appropriate/relevant schedule. Use clear and empowering language like, “I’ll be here” or “I’ve got you.” etc. Remind them of the big picture of chiro: reconnection, and what we humans are here for: connection.
Power Tip 12:
Most of us want to be part of something, so help your practice members to be part of your tribe. Perhaps you could start a VIP group for your office (you could do that on FB, or do regular Zoom calls).
FINALLY, a note on Rebuilding:
Really SEE that ONE person in front of you and not the others who aren’t there. Connect with them, and then reconnect them.
Your practice is made up of the ONES (like money, “look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves”.) Take care of your ones who are, and don't think about the ones who aren’t.
You’ve done this before, you can do it again. Don’t worry, Hebb’s Law says it will be faster this time. This is an opportunity to rebuild, with a stronger foundation, of those who have come back in.
Your practice may be have been culled, and now it’s time to rise from the ashes, always stronger than ever.
This rebuilding is a gift, as it’s a chance for you to get improve your building skills, and creating more certainty (what nearly every person asks for at some time in coaching). Never again will your office feel like a house of cards that can be taken away. Your foundations will be strong, and structure determines function, so build.
I know you’ve got this
Pop your coronas on
Get get out there and shine.