Do or Do Not. There is no TRY, by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Saturday, May 23rd 2009

Warm hellos to everyone,

Just got back from Hilton Head Island - I am all beached out!
...And ready to do huge things for this Fall! So let's get started!

On the way home, we stopped in at the Cracker Barrel for lunch.
I did a quick glance into their kitchen and on their wall, on a large
whiteboard was their motto: "Pleasing people in all we do and say
" AND "The pursuit of excellence".
I like that!

For a moment I thought I was in a chiropractic office!
Those words should be emblazoned in your heart!

I have to tell you this: There are too many doctors out there who have no
clue on how to treat a person. How to make a person feel welcome,
feel wanted, feel cared for, feel that they are in the best hands,
feel nurtured, feel excited, feel loved, feel listened to, feel understood,
feel joyful, feel taught, feelinspired, feel alive, feel real, and feel connected.

These things are not some canned and cookie cutter procedures you simply
plug into your system from some obscure seminar you've taken somewhere
that taught you to say certain glibby little phrases in response to something
a patient may say.
No!
These are the result of your very essence connecting with the patient in front
of you on a level where few words need to be said!
When that happens, there is no need for any extensive marketing,
no lame sales pitches, no BS, no fear tactics, and no violating your integrity.
 Their goal becomes your goal. Simple.

I remember clearly walking into my Report room and knowing full well
that the elderly patient in front of me would not understand my full report.
I would often hold their hands, look into their eyes and simply say what
they needed.
And how much it would cost.
And how they could pay for it.
....and we would simply get started. That's it!

Here's the thing: it is NOT necessarily what you do, it's the way that you do it!
With great skill, panache, flair, warmth, understanding, empathy, honesty,
excellence,power, and certainty! 

Here's my challenge for you: Just do it!

Get yourself out of your own way and really connect with your patient.
Forget the fact that your bills need to be paid, that you need to pay yourself,
that your car loan needs to be paid, and so does your insurance and your
rent and your....etc. Be with your patient. Become the doctor you've always imagined.

Ok....I can hear some of you already:
"I'll try"
Lighten up!

In the words of Yoda - The Master: "Do or Do not. There is not Try."

Put your whole being into connecting with your patient. Don't try to do it. Just do it!
There is no "try."
....and that really applies into every facet of being a doctor.
BE the doctor you've always envisioned yourself to be. Don't try it. Be it!

Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel