The operation of a business denotes constant changes in behavior and attitude. There are times you will question why you do things, as well as how, and others will question you too. You need to understand the importance of the following fundamentals in order to operate an efficient and profitable practice.
Risk – One of the scariest issues for any practice owner is actually beginning a practice. The second is then making decisions that strategically impact the practice. Each decision involves some level of risk. However, I am speaking of prudent risk, not a risk which endangers the practice. Risk is a process that requires removal from the comfort zone. Think of risk as the manual transmission of an automobile. If you remain in neutral, you remain idle with little action. Once you begin to take risk you begin to build speed and velocity, which then accelerates your practice.
Failure – We all fail. Failure is part of life. No person is perfect and there is no such thing as perfection. As Alan Weiss states, “If you are not failing you are not trying”. Business decisions will falter. Do not allow these decisions to manifest and withhold risk. Those before you have failed. Columbus never meant to find America, John Cook landed in the wrong place in Virginia, and it took Thomas Edison over 1000 tries to develop the light bulb.
Passion – Although I am providing a litany of information vital to business success, nothing is more vital to business than passion. Passion creates emotion, subsequently creating action. Passion moves business. If there is no passion, it is not worth doing. Too many individuals work because they have to. Passion correlates to job satisfaction and morale. Individuals who lack satisfaction and interest in work are breathing, but they are not living.
Innovation – Organizations are about creativity. Our society is constantly moving because of innovative efforts. However, talent must never be stilted. Some of the best products and services ever produced came from within the organizational culture,not from the executive team. Innovation and suggestions help an organization to grow. Allow employees to provide feedback while simultaneously giving it to them. Constantly push suggestions and creativity. The next random thought could become the next blockbuster idea. The animated movie Toy Story, produced by Walt Disney Productions, was developed from employee ideas over lunch. This innovative Disney animated film set a new standard for the organization and the film industry.
Self-confidence – Business operations require focus. That energy stems from your commitment and passion. More importantly, it requires self-confidence. This is the ability to continually believe in yourself during volatile times. No business skyrockets quickly, nor does it maintain constant velocity. You must maintain a healthy selfishness. And your arrogant belief in yourself allows you to rise from failure and remain focused on the prize.
Self Mastery – This requires your ability to understand your strengths and limitations. It takes continuous learning. A current American trend is slothful behavior. Due in large measure to the proliferation of the Internet, individuals seek immediate answers to their questions with the use of Google. However, with our knowledge economy, the acquisition of content simply leads to information, not knowledge. Self mastery means researching and massaging information to become knowledge. This new acquisition assists in stimulating growth and new behaviors. If we do not grow, we die. Self mastery allows us to continually grow.
Many new chiropractic graduates believe in the myth of working 2.5 days a week and making a six-figure income. Practice and business requires hard work and effort, and that doesn’t come from working half a week. The chiropractor needs to be present for both patient treatment time and business time. Developing a schedule that provides for both is important. Lumping them both together loses the focus and impact for both.
© 2013. Drew Stevens PhD, all rights reserved.
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