Our word choices reveal the state of our heart. Consider these three distinctions:

Liking new patients. You enjoy the opportunity to create new relationships and discover new possibilities.

Wanting new patients. You have a deficiency to be filled. You have a sense of lack. There is an appetite to be satisfied.

Needing new patients. There's a craving to be satisfied. There is compulsion and dependence. Even an addiction?

Which term do you find yourself whispering to yourself or speaking aloud? The metaphysics can be profound.

Are new patients a means to your satisfaction? Do new patients solve your problem or alleviate theirs? In other words, do new patients quench your needs, or do they represent new possibilities to be of service?

New patients can tell. They may not be able to put their finger on it, but their enteric nervous system can discern the most subtle tell, revealing your motive.

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Bill Esteb has been a chiropractic patient and advocate since 1981. He is the creative director of Patient Media and the co-founder of Perfect Patients. He’s been a regular speaker at chiropractic gatherings since 1985. His 12 books explore the doctor/patient relationship from a patient's point of view. His chiropractic blog, coaching program, patient focus groups and consulting calls have helped hundreds of chiropractors around the world. Since 1999 Monday Morning Motivation has been emailed to over 10,000 subscribers each week.