Yes, I know it’s a common theme here and why shouldn’t it be. It is the only way to do it. At the end of every day, you want to have learned something new, improved in some way, had something to look back on of substance, and be proud of the contributions you have made. This requires intentional planning with time set aside to reflect.
If, by chance, you have decided against the significance of and the need for the end of day huddle (which is the ideal spot), then you must find another way to incorporate… Your Daily Celebration.
This is your opportunity to point out and focus on the things that have gone well. If you focus more on the positives, you will absolutely get more of it. It’s quite simple, be more fixated on that which you want to repeat and replicate; instead of the things you don’t want.
In fact, the biggest complaint from Team Members is that both other team members and Doctors tend to focus too much on the negative. And we wonder why morale is low and culture is in an up-and-down roller coaster ride.
You don’t have to accept or ignore the negatives. However, you don’t want to obsess or dwell on them. Rather, you want to do something about them.
This is why I am saying to you always focus on being in a state of CONSTANT and NEVER-ENDING IMPROVEMENT.
Now, how does that sound? Not so bad, right? In fact, it’s clever, encouraging, appealing – who doesn’t want to improve? If you have this attitude, you will be far more motivated and productive. Even when you have to have discussions about disappointments or missed opportunities, it will feel constructive, instead of demoralizing.
I’m challenging you to make this commitment to each other. Print a poster, put up signs, have a culture that is exactly this. That your team believes that success is defined by your desire to constantly improve, better your best, fix your mistakes, and become more consistent.
Then – you must promise yourself and each other – that you will also celebrate all of the victories (the big ones, the little ones, the ones that simply show you are on the right track ).
I’m all about making lists because they stay in your memory, allow for needed reminders, and make it possible for you to perform.
The same applies here, but this list is different. This list isn’t a “to-do” list, it is an AWARENESS List.
My suggestion is a board in your Team Room that says “victories for the week” and you fill up it day by day. Review it, then erase it and start over. Maybe even have some contests or challenges with some rewards attached to achievements.
If you want to make it even better, you can have a daily chart like the old-fashioned school attendance record that tracks each team members’ monthly progress. Then you can decide on who you celebrate and how.
Of course, on the flip side, let’s have a board with a list of things that you need to improve on. You can use those to define meeting agendas and to bring up in conversations. This list is NOT NEGATIVE or BLAMING. It is matter of fact things that will help you be more successful for your patients, for yourself, and for each other.
You can use the visual reminder to ensure you don’t forget, prevent you from repeating mistakes, and help keep everyone stay on the same page.
This is a BIG and IMPORTANT Challenge I’m giving you today!
Next week, I’ll talk about what to do with the Improvement List and I will help you to move from just a state of mind of never-ending improvement to a state of action of it too.
Find something to celebrate today. Your lists begins now!
