The Power of Can’t
Can’t. A word that has launched ships, landed men on the moon, and broken world records in athletics. At my Chiropractic College, a plaque on the wall stated: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
Can’t is undeniably the spark that fuels many great ideas. However, “can” must always be present to overcome any doubts about achieving the goal at hand. If “can’t” is the haters’ mantra, then “can” is the song of success.
I issue this statement as a challenge to anyone reading this: use both.
A colleague of mine, no matter the suggestion to improve any aspect of his life, always starts with why it can’t be done. Over the years, I’ve encountered many individuals with this same mindset. It makes me wonder: why is the instinct to lead with “can’t” so prevalent in our society?
Personally, I wasn’t raised with affirmations like “You can do anything you put your mind to” — at least, I don’t recall hearing them from my parents. However, I do remember my elementary school years instilling in me a healthy dose of positivity.
In both my business and marriage, we’ve adopted a guiding principle: you cannot lead with “no.” That means the knee-jerk response to any suggestion or directive should never be a flat refusal. Instead, we believe in pausing, reflecting, and applying thoughtful consideration before responding.
I bring this up as it relates to our milestone of 26 years in business this past October. The growth from a single office to over 50 affiliate locations nationwide was not ignited by “can.” It was ignited by “can’t.”
When I decided to close our four South Florida offices and focus solely on Federal Compensation, everyone on my team said, “You can’t.”
When I consulted a group to learn about Federal Compensation and chose not to enroll in their $50,000 program, they told me we’d never get a claim approved.
When my accountant said, “You can’t expand nationwide; you’re just a chiropractor,” it fueled my resolve to prove him wrong.
In every instance, “can’t” was the spark. But it was “can”—determination, action, and persistence—that became the fuel.
The lesson? Don’t let “can’t” be the final word. Use it to ignite your drive, and let “can” be the force that carries you to success.
Our Story:
One-Fed is a physician-led organization dedicated to the treatment and claims oversight of all injured Federal workers and the providers who care for them. Our team includes specialized claims managers, medical scribes, billers, coders, and board-certified medical and physical therapy providers. One-Fed has united around a clear purpose: We do our job so you can do yours!
In 2024, One-Fed proudly celebrated 26 years of delivering outstanding patient care and comprehensive service management for injured federal workers and the medical professionals who support them. Founded in 1998 by Dr. Robert M. Kustin, One-Fed began as a specialized medical practice in Pembroke Pines, Florida, just outside our current headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. Driven by a dedication to address the limited care options available to injured federal employees in South Florida, Dr. Kustin’s vision expanded into a full-service provider network, becoming a trusted partner in federal healthcare across the nation.
In 2017, we launched DOL Injury Centers to meet the specific needs of federal employees and expanded again with Fed-Hurt in 2020, establishing ourselves as a national leader in federal claims management and injury treatment. These expansions set the stage for One-Fed to emerge as a unified, 360-degree solution for both patients and providers. Under our newly rebranded identity, One-Fed now offers a fully integrated service model, enhancing efficiencies across patient scheduling, treatment cycles, and claims support, making it easier for federal employees to access the care they need and for providers to deliver that care with confidence.
With an expanding network of dedicated medical and physical therapy providers, One-Fed has grown to include practitioners across 10 states and Puerto Rico, marking our transition from a regional service to a nationwide leader.
Today, One-Fed supports providers within the federal workers’ compensation system with cutting-edge B2B solutions, from streamlined billing to claims management, empowering them to focus on what they do best—patient care. Our leadership in the federal healthcare landscape is guided by a commitment to high-quality, accessible care and a steadfast dedication to the providers and patients we serve.
As we look forward to the future, One-Fed remains committed to evolving in ways that reflect our values of integrity, innovation, and support. Our newly unified brand represents not only a name but also a promise — to deliver accessible, high-quality care for federal workers nationwide while strengthening the foundations of care and support for the providers who stand by them every step of the way.
