David J. Schwartz is quoted as saying “People who reach the higher rungs in business management, selling, engineering, religious work, writing, acting, and in every other pursuit (including athletes and chiropractors) get there by following conscientiously and continuously a plan for self-development and growth.”
This observation is exhibited so profoundly with the meeting of athletes that occurs every 4 years at the Olympic games.
I, like probably you and countless millions of people around the world have been captivated (through to late at night, depending where you live) by the amazing feats of human strength, willpower, stamina and speed. The world-beating performances, the victories and the defeats have been inspiring.
With my usual chiropractic lenses on I have viewed many of these Olympic feats not only for what they are but also how they translate into the chiropractic context.
An old adage comes to mind in this context – “When you are on fire people come to watch you burn”. High-level performance is an inspiring phenomenon and the history books are filled with stories of those who have touched the hearts of humanity with their athletic feats at the Olympics.
When a person or a team are truly living their ‘why’ they shine. They are irresistible and it inspires others to be their best.
Back at the 2000 Olympics – “millennium games” in Sydney, all eyes were on the native daughter Cathy Freeman, an Australian of Aboriginal descent who lit the Olympic torch in the opening ceremony. As the first Aboriginal-Australian athlete to compete in the Olympics, Freeman, a sprinter, was under intense pressure to perform big in the 400 meters in her home country. She had won the silver four years earlier in Atlanta, and she was now determined to prove her status as the “Queen of the Track.” And Freeman did not disappoint her hometown expectations. In taking her victory lap after clinching gold, Freeman draped the Aboriginal and Australian flags around her neck to the delight of the crowd. She openly displayed her commitment to her country, her heritage, and her sport.
As chiropractors we have the right to fly the chiropractic flag high. How often do you make your philosophy, science and art public. After all, the word ‘professional’ comes from the root ‘profess’, which is to openly state one’s convictions. How professional are you being? Are you openly stating your position?
As BJ Palmer said – “you never know how far reaching something you say, think or do will be”. When Cathy Freeman broke the tape in Sydney it lite a flame in the heart of a 12 year old girl. She thought, “if Cathy can do it so can I”. That burning desire for gold in track drove Sally Pearson to her relentless pursuit of gold. London 2012 has seen Sally fulfill her dream. Having won the 100-meter hurdles and get the Gold Medal she was asked in a post race interview, what advice to you have for aspiring Olympians. Her response was to always go back to WHY you took up the sport in the first place and WHY you love it. Do this on a regular basis. Always remember WHY you are in it she repeated.
This advice is so important for us as chiropractors. Always remind yourself of why you are doing what you are doing. Always go back to that defining moment when you decided to become a chiropractor.
Always remember WHY you are a chiropractor when people are coming from a limited place and questioning you, complaining about little issues or not seeing the big picture. When government, medicine and the media are attacking your profession ask yourself WHY you became and WHY you are a chiropractor?
You have a huge gift for humanity in your hands. Along with this power is a huge responsibility to look after it and make sure that it is handed on to future generations. You have the challenge of lighting the spark of hope and possibility within those you serve and the public at large.
Currently the opposition to your success is monumental and the odds are stacked against you but if you resolutely stick to your WHY and give it everything you will prevail.
