Embrace Your Messy! How To Make A True Difference To Your Patients

August 21, 2018 | Categories: Branding | Author: Ashley Libby Diaz | 1

I’m standing behind an abandoned house in Joshua Tree, CA, dressed like a little girl and covered from head to toe in sticky, gooey pudding. I have ice cream in my hair and melted chocolate between my fingers. I smell like the cheap sweets I picked up at the gas station down the street.

I’m so gross.

I’m like one of those little kids you see wearing his melted ice cream cone all over his face, hands, and clothes, and all you want to do is steer clear, lest one of those disgusting hands comes flying out and gets your beautiful, clean outfit dirty.

And yet, I’ve never felt more free. More alive. More comfortable in my body.

I was like a little kid again, rejoicing in my messiness and loving every single minute of it.

I had come to the desert with the courageous women in my business mastermind group and our fearless leader to work on our wounds, and I ended up here, recreating my childhood in the most unexpectedly delicious and glorious way.

If you knew my Mom, you’d know she defines put together. Hair done. Makeup done. Clothes perfectly ironed and tucked. Every day, no matter what’s on the agenda. The thought of a dirty little girl running around (and for others to see)??

OH NO!

When I was little, my Mom had backups to my backup outfits and an endless supply of wipes to clean me up.

Being dirty and messy wasn’t allowed.

Isn’t it funny how we do this to ourselves as adults?

We dye our hair to hide the gray. We wear Spanx to wrangle in and smooth out those extra few pounds. We put on a happy face when we’re sad. We say we’re fine when we’re not. Shall I go on?

Of course, the truth is, not one of us is perfect, but we’ve gotten good at putting on this front like we are.

We change, modify, and edit ourselves, so others won’t see our messiness.

I saw this a lot (and truthfully, probably did this a lot) when I was practicing physical therapy.

How many of us health practitioners subscribe to the principle, ‘Do as I say, not as I do?’

We avoid sharing our own truth to protect ourselves. We think that our patients won’t see our messiness. We don’t want them to see our messiness. Right?

The truth is, it would feel so much better if we just owned our struggles. And it would be so much more relatable and inspiring.

Our messiness makes us real!!

Patients can resonate with someone who’s real, authentic, genuine, and transparent. They can’t connect with someone who’s covering their ‘stuff’.

I love it when my branding clients really embrace this. By bringing all of yourself – and I do mean all – to the table and showcasing who you really are in your brand, you become a magnet to the people who most need you, attracting new patients and garnering the loyalty of current clients.

Plus, it feels SO GOOD.

You know what the truly wonderful thing is? Owning your ‘stuff’ allows you to start addressing it and go on your own healing journey. When your journey starts to shape your practice, that’s where the real magic happens – for all, including those you are meant to serve.

If you’re ready to own your messiness and connect with your patients on a whole new level, I invite you to reach out to me (even if you’re nervous, scared, or downright terrified). Whatever is coming up for you, just know it’s okay. This is not how we’re taught to be as practitioners, and it’s normal to be a bit unsure.

But, there’s freedom on the other side, and that’s a beautiful thing.

With love and light,
Ashley