Want to know the key to getting what you want? Help others get what they want.

It is as simple and as complicated as that.

Humans are individuals, they are complex and varied yet, somewhat strangely we are all the same. We have touched on a number of these commonalities before, these in-built features each of us have is what allows skills like effective communication and rapport to be effective. Another common feature is our ego. Not in a negative way but in regards to our sense of self, our drive to look after ourselves and further our own progression through life. Think of it in an evolutionary sense as our will to survive.

Zig Zigler, an American author, sales guru and motivational speaker sums it up well:

Put simply people are not against you, they are for themselves. It is because of this that helping others get what they desire drives our own progression that much further.

So what does that mean in practice?

1) Patient goals

All of your skills in assessment and management are not going to be effective if you haven’t linked their importance to what is driving your patient.

Why did they come to see you?

What made them move from trusting a google diagnosis to seeking our yours?

Why would they do all these things you’re asking that are NOT normal for them?

What are they missing out on now that they want you to help them get back to?

From the outset highlight a goal (or if that feels too cliche, a post-treatment activity) that provides intrinsic motivation for your patient to be compliant in your management, to attend their appointments and to COMMIT to getting better.

Can’t go for your morning run? Here are the 5 things we need to address to get you back to that, then you can break down the plan and appointments from there.

Creating that simple link of moving your patient away from pain and towards pleasure is far more powerful than what you may realise.

2) Career progression

Keen to move from a part-time to a full-time? Maybe you want to move into a grade 2, grade 3 or grade 4 position? Possibly your aspirations are to become a part owner within your current clinic or even start your own?

Whatever the case may be, helping those around you to get what they want, helps you get what you want. Nothing makes managers and business owners look better than when you are crushing the tasks they are giving you.

Is your manager being pressured to improve discharge rates? Take action to get them what they want and you suddenly become far more valuable.

Is the clinic owner you work for trying to get more new patients into the clinic? Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and meet some potential referral partners. Or maybe add some quality ideas to their social media strategy. Value. Value. Value.

The more you help others the more you have to extend yourself which in turn helps you:

a) Immediately — improved confidence, learning of new skills, change in mindset

b) The medium to long-term — you are more likely to get that promotion or partnership offer, more likely to be trusted with greater responsibility (increased chances to learn and develop) to then transform you into an EVEN MORE VALUABLE asset. The cycle just keeps going.

Action points

Interested in maximising your skills? We can help! Check out our tailored programs that take practitioners from good to world-class.

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