Q:

Dr. M,
	Well, I have been really hitting the pavement.  I get to work at 9 in the morning and 
make my calls for about an hour and a half to set up talks or screenings and then treat one 
patient.  I then go door to door with flyers to businesses and try to drum up business.  
Then go to lunch come back treat maybe a new patient if they show up and make more calls 
or door to door stuff and then do it all over again the next day.  It is tough even with my 
energy.  
	Today, I just had to take the afternoon off.  I don't want to burn out.  It is like 
being on an emotional roller coaster.  The frustrating part is that I meet people that I can 
obviously help and either they don't want to pay out of their pocket for any care or they just 
don't believe you can help them without a pill.  UNBELIEVABLE!   
	Dr. M, what type of numbers should I set as a goal for myself for the first few 
months of practice?  I have had four people show up and only two stick with one and a half 
weeks worth of work.  The fourth one is set up for her report on tuesday, so you can't 
count her out yet.  It is upsetting as I want bigger numbers.  What can I expect for the first 
few weeks????  I keep planting seeds, but I need to eat to you know, and this canned food 
aint looking too good anymore.  Let me know what you think and if you can offer some 
friendly advice to jump start my situation.  Oh, by the way, I have done everything so far 
that is in the book.  It has helped, but I am fishing around for some new ideas to implement 
for more of a target market.  

A:

Sorry for the delay in replying .. I've been out of the country. What you need to consider is 
placing your motors in the right gear .. when a vehicle's engine is speeding with limited 
movement .. the gears begin to burn out. 

Yes .. you have every reason to expect success and huge numbers as your wildest dreams 
have shown you .. but in the beginning you have no affinity with your community .. you 
are feeling your way around and results happen because seeds were planted and roots have 
dug deep in the soil. This all takes time .. Quick fixes and instant success is possible but 
the exception. 

Sound ideas are just that .. ideas that can and will work. What seperates the winners from 
the losers is individuality and creative energy that persists and keeps  on ticking .. not 
burning out and leaving a shell of frustration and doubt.

My best advice is to team with others and collectively work on ideas .. if this is possible. If 
not .. tackle one project at a time .. work it .. nurture it and watch it grow .. this is the only 
way to have bumper crops year after year

Have a Great Day

Dr. M