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When I sold my patient practice in 2001, one of my
long-term clients called me concerned after her
meeting with one of the partners who bought the
practice. “She doesn’t know me,” my client exclaimed
followed by, “Do you know what I mean?” I got the
drift. This specific partner was not making a
connection. I suggested that my client try the other
partner and let me know how that felt. My client called
me excited and announced, “She KNOWS me. Do you
know what I mean?” Yes, I got the drift. The dietitian
that remained in the practice (the other partner
eventually left) made eye contact, hung onto every
word that came out of my client’s mouth and used her
intuition--not just her book knowledge--to help this
client.
It is not about the content, but the delivery. As
dietitians, we have a wealth of knowledge. However,
sometimes we feel that we have to spout off this
knowledge as if we were reciting a textbook, and that
turns people off right away. Similarly, when I try out a
new yoga teacher, the biggest turn-off is when the
teacher refers to body parts as, “Lift that right
hand,”
versus “…YOUR right hand.” How can you
make that
connection with your client?
Be Authentic
Be yourself, have passion for what you do and “feel”
what you do. Self-disclosure doesn’t hurt-- it makes
you real. In addition, don’t be afraid to kick shoes off
and curl your feet up on your oversized chair or
couch.
Be Present
Listen to every word that your client says.
Have Confidence
Believe in yourself; believe what you say. Walking the
walk helps.
Exude Leadership
Take charge—your clients are looking to you for
direction.
Eliminate Barriers
Get rid of the desk and add a couch plus oversized
chair. Sit in a circle with clients in a group program.
A circle is the most common universal sign, found in
all cultures. It has no beginning or end, and no
divisions making it the perfect symbol of
completeness, eternity and the soul.
According to John Nance, Yurt (round circular
structure) Owner, “The spaces contained by round
structures versus boxes create different dynamics.
Movement patterns differ. The circle reflects the
movement of the moon, planets, the universe, atoms
and the seasons. The circle is a dance, an arc. There
are few straight lines in nature and fewer boxes.
Boxes are a contrived form that enhances the
industrial style of thinking. They can be aligned and
connected, like an organization; the form of the box is
very left-brain. Circles, on the other hand, are more
harmonious with right-brain activity.”
Most importantly, know yourself.
Get Connected with Beverly Price's Yoga Session
at FNCE, Saturday, October 25th at the Hyatt
Regency, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Admission is $5 and
space is limited.
Visit Jump Start Consulting at Booth #45,
FNCE
Product Market Place on Sunday, October 26th,
along
with the Carol Molfetta's Diabetes Core Curriculum,
and learn more!
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About Beverly Price, RD, MA,
RYT
Beverly Price is a seasoned Registered Dietitian with
over 24 years of experience in the field. In 2001, she
sold her private practice, Living Better Sensibly-one
of the largest private nutrition practices in the country-
to a private nutrition consulting firm, and started Jump
Start̉ Consulting, LLC, specializing in management
and marketing strategies for dietitians along with
distance learning products for continuing professional
education. She also has designed a business
curriculum for dietetic students and interns for
educators to use in their curriculum.
Beverly currently operates a private practice, in
Huntington Woods, Michigan, where she
specializes in
eating disorder recovery and yoga therapy.
Jump Start Consulting, LLC is a Continuing
Professional Education (CPE) Accredited Provider
with
the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
For more
information, to order a
product or register for a seminar
Upcoming seminars:
Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, November 7th--
also available as a webinar
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Jump Start, Getting that Jump Start, Private
Practice Getting that Jump Start and
gettingthatjumpstart.com are all registered
trademarks of Jump Start Consulting, LLC. All articles
are copyrighted and property of Jump Start Consulting,
LLC.
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