Like it or not – those around you will have a tremendous influence on you. Choose positive mentors who give you practical advice that will move you forward.
Author: drdabalos
Hustle
Leg Checks Are Not Enough
Use multiple criteria to make a better diagnosis. But sometimes – like on mission trips – you just won’t have access to all the diagnostic tools you’d like. So do what you can with what you have.
Don’t Settle
New grads – don’t settle for bad job offers. Working your butt off and still not being able to pay your bills can extinguish your fire. You don’t have to wait for the perfect job – but don’t settle for a job that will make you exhausted and stressed.
Board Scores
Many of you have just received your national board scores.
Congrats to those who passed – and congrats to those who didn’t.
While passing your boards is a necessary hoop to jump through, and some of that material may be useful in practice someday, boards don’t test you on many things.
Adjusting skill. Patient communication. Running a business. Marketing.
Just like your grades in school, your scores on boards are not an indicator of your success as a chiropractor.
So it may seem odd that I’m congratulating those who passed and those who didn’t. But I’m proud of all of you who took boards and are continuing to move forward – whether to the next part of boards or to take them again. Just be sure to keep sharpening your adjusting skills and keep learning what it takes to actually succeed in practice.
DCs who practice what they preach
Learn from those who practice what they preach. Don’t ask your barber if your car needs an oil change – and don’t listen to DCs who aren’t practicing the way you want to practice.
Go to technique clubs!
Make the decision NOW to attend technique clubs. Just make it a non-negotiable time and get your butt to clubs.
Be flexible with your practice
Life is going to throw you some curve balls. Be flexible while moving towards your goal.
Take advantage of your breaks
As I’ve said before – it’s what you do OUTSIDE of school that will make you a better chiropractor. Take some time during the break between classes to read, learn, shadow, practice, or anything chiropractic in order to make you a better chiropractor!
Protect yourself in a new practice
Like the equivalent of getting a prenup, as you get ready to start in practice – protect yourself. Get things in writing, have a backup plan, put targets in place before you commit to a position or a partnership.