3 Mistakes I Made Picking a Chiropractic / Practice Coach

I read my first self-help book at the age of 12. It was titled “Positive Visualization.” It was probably the first of hundreds of books I’ve read, seminars I’ve attended, or coaches I’ve hired.

As a growth-junkie, I have always had coaches, both inside and outside of chiropractic. I’ve always been grateful for them. A lot of them taught me impactful things that turned around my life or my business. And a handful were a prime example of how NOT to do things a certain way. Those coaches who were able to tap into my own inner guidance, were the ones that helped me take my life and business to the next level.

Here are 3 mistakes to avoid in picking a coach:

1. My Way or The Highway

There are infinite ways you can make money, be successful, have financial freedom, and time to do whatever you love. But if your coach is convinced that his way is the only way, then you may want to reconsider having him as your coach. To be fair, his way may be the only way he thinks you can succeed, because it probably aligned with him, his beliefs, his personality, or his vision. But hey, if his way is aligned with you, then YES go for it, and follow it to a T.

2. Old Sales Tactics

If your coach is not constantly up-to-date with the new world we live in today, then you are in trouble. The world is constantly changing. It used to be that an ad in the yellow pages would bring in people, their insurance would pay for chiropractic services, or competition was scarce. In today’s world of social media, flashy websites, and influencer videos, if you are not doing internet marketing and making authentic connections with your potential clients, you will be a thing of the past. If your coach is against marketing, or exploring ideas outside of his comfort zone, you are with the wrong coach.

3. Walking the Walk

You don’t take parenting advice from someone who doesn’t have kids. You don’t take dating advice from the chronically single. You certainly don’t take marriage advice from someone who doesn’t have a successful marriage. So why would you take advice from a coach who has never had a fulfilling practice? Some coaches fail at practice, and jump on the coaching bandwagon. If your coach hasn’t achieved what you are striving to achieve, how can he possibly help you get there?

Ultimately having a coach is an essential part of constant growth. At the same time having the wrong coach can be detrimental to your practice. Modeling and emulating someone who is mega successful is beneficial, but ensure that their values are aligned with yours, and that your practice is a representation of YOU and not a copy of someone else’s.