Define Your Why
Each day, we get up, go through our routines, and head out the door to work. But why? Beyond the obvious need to pay bills, what drives us to do the job we do? The exchange of time for money is often the primary motivator. For some, this exchange is acceptable—they find meaning and enjoyment in their work. For others, it’s a source of dissatisfaction, leaving them at odds with their job and, often, with life itself. Many roles start as matters of convenience, opportunity, or necessity, but that doesn’t always lead to fulfillment.
As an employer, I’ve found that giving each potential employee a “test drive” before formal training is invaluable. I ask them to come in, observe our work, ask questions, and get a feel for the role. This process helps weed out those who see the job as merely convenient, allowing us to find fully engaged individuals who are passionate about what we do and why we do it.
In previous blogs, I’ve discussed defining your “why” — the deeper motivation behind your work. For me, my “why” is twofold. First, I’m committed to caring for those who care for us: the millions of federal employees who work tirelessly to keep our country running. These 2.2 million people ensure that the remaining 339.6 million Americans are supported and served. My second “why” is that, through this work, my business is compensated, allowing me to care for the people I love. I call this concept “Circle-Circle”—our intentions and actions align with our purpose, creating a cycle of meaning and impact.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to do work that is both meaningful and fulfilling. The journey to this point has been long, and the process has been remarkable. I’ve always felt a deep sense of responsibility as a caregiver, a trait that led me to become a chiropractor. In my early practice years, I grew interested in expanding my business to reach and serve more patients, which led me to discover The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. This book transformed my path, guiding me from single practice ownership to the role of CEO of the largest physician-owned Federal Workers’ Compensation network.
A common thread throughout this 25-year journey has been a steadfast commitment to caring for those who need it most. When we transitioned to a nationwide provider, I met with my team to emphasize that our new locations would not offer a diluted version of the high-quality care we provide at our Fort Lauderdale facility. Instead, we would deliver that same standard of excellence across all of our network providers.
In addition to staying true to our mission, we’ve set ourselves apart from others in this field by establishing unique standards: we accept any claimant, even without an approved claim; we schedule new claimants within 24–48 hours of their injury; we handle all denied claims at no cost to the patient; and we arrange each specialist and diagnostic imaging request even before claim approval. This commitment to service and high standards is what continues to drive us forward and differentiate us from others in the industry.
On January 1st, 2025, Fed-Hurt will rebrand as One-Fed, highlighting our renewed commitment to supporting medical providers who care for injured Federal employees. Beyond providing nationwide care to all injured Federal employees, One-Fed will introduce a comprehensive suite of services, including claims oversight and billing support, to assist providers outside our network. This expansion will enable One-Fed to extend its reach and serve even more injured Federal employees through enhanced support for medical providers.
My “why” is deeply intertwined with my purpose, and today, I’m more committed than ever to growing the One-Fed brand and supporting the providers and their teams who believed in this mission from the start. I’ll never forget that I was the one who invited them to join our network—not the other way around. This gives me a strong sense of responsibility to the providers within our network, likely even more than they realize.
On Tuesday, we will hopefully have chosen our next leader—someone who will put the country above party interests and strive to lead us thoughtfully over the next four years. At the heart of effective leadership lies a clear sense of purpose, a “why.” Take a moment to reflect on your own “why,” not only in your work but in all that is meaningful to you, including how you relate to yourself.
About 20 years ago, I attended a friend’s wedding in Mont-Tremblant, Canada. The bride’s father gave a toast in French and then translated it to English. He said, “Nous ne faisons que passer”—”We are only just passing through.” I’ve carried these words with me, drawing strength and perspective from them often. Sadly, the bride is no longer with us, but her father’s words have stayed with me, reminding me of the brevity and significance of our journey. Have a great week.
