Breakthrough Thinking

Book Review by Stephen Savoie, DC

Title:

Breakthrough Thinking

Author:

Mark Sanna, DC

Publisher:

Breakthrough Coaching

Length:

325 pages

Purpose:

Doctor and student education

Price:

$14.95

Part#:

T-242

Breakthrough Thinking is a book about becoming successful; however, it's different than most other success books that simply provide a list of ideas or concepts, then let you find a way to integrate them into your life. Dr. Sanna provides not only the concepts, but the means to make them part of your life and your practice. Each chapter in this book includes excellent material on how to achieve what the author terms "breakthrough thinking;" various "breakthrough thinking questions" that help the reader make this happen; and a series of exercises that help outline goals, visions and action steps to complete the change in the thinking process.

The book is composed of 17 chapters that discuss the most important concepts for any chiropractor wishing to have a successful (or more successful) practice. Dr. Sanna begins by talking about change; he does an excellent job of making people aware of whether they change or stay, as he calls it, "static." He uses some wonderful examples of how changeable or unchangeable people really are; in fact, many readers will probably feel a bit uncomfortable after hearing what Dr. Sanna says. Excellent examples and anecdotes help make the author's points clear. The other introductory chapters discuss topics relating to leadership and how one can change to become a more effective leader. Chapter four is devoted to developing a mission statement and its importance in achieving success. The exercises included at the end of this chapter are excellent and should help readers achieve a greater sense of awareness of what truly want to accomplish in their practices, and put it in writing. Dr. Sanna stresses the necessity of setting aside enough time to this very important task.

After leading the reader through the chapters on success, developing a mission statement and creating the proper context for that success, Dr. Sanna discusses the importance of building a high-performance team. This chapter is particularly good because it will help doctors assess whether they have a high-or low-performing team. You may think your team is a high performer, but after reading this chapter, you may discover that your team needs some work. In fact, this area of weakness could be what is holding the practice back from the success it should be enjoying. The next chapter builds on this concept and talks about creating an extraordinary team. Dr. Sanna discusses the concept of discretionary effort and how it has made a difference with many corporations attempting to make dramatic changes in their businesses. He uses examples such as Chrysler and Johnson & Johnson to illustrate his point, and does so quite effectively. Subsequent chapters discuss concepts such as developing a patient-first practice; how to discover, develop and live your passion; how to make a habit of success; and master lessons for life. These chapters follow the same format as the earlier chapters.

The book is well-written, easy-to-read and user-friendly. The questions and exercises will definitely help readers assimilate and internalize the information provided. Doctors will find that this is one of those books they go back to and re-read, time and time again. The lessons to be learned are numerous; probably too numerous to absorb with only one reading. This is a great book for the new graduate, as well as the veteran practitioner. Unless you are completely and totally satisfied with the level of your practice, this book has lessons to teach.

Dr. Savoie's rating:

10 out of 10