Just the other day I had the privilege of being a guest for a highly regarded Doctor\u2019s Monthly Training for his Study Club Members. \u00a0He asked several great questions plus one trick question. \u00a0He chose this one question in particular so his Doctors could be reminded about the philosophy I\u2019m going to share with you today.<\/p>\n
Sadly, many people ask me this same question and expect a serious answer. \u00a0You must understand that it\u2019s the wrong question to ask, so no answer will matter.<\/p>\n
The question usually goes something like this\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the one thing I need to do to get X result?\u201d<\/p>\n
Or sometimes it\u2019s a little looser than that and they say \u201cGive me three strategies to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
As I shared with Dr. Spencer, imagine if I had you write down every possible way you could help a patient and then I\u2019m going to pick one at random and then throw the rest out forever more.<\/p>\n
Of course, this would be an asinine concept. \u00a0You would be extremely limited in how you could effectively treat and care for your patients.<\/p>\n
Well Dentistry may be harder than Business. \u00a0I always say WHAT YOU DO in the mouths of your patients is far more difficult than the whole \u201cgame\u201d of business. \u00a0It\u2019s not that complicated but it does have to be done deliberately and with great intention.<\/p>\n
Still, there aren\u2019t one or two or three or any specific number of set strategies you can select. \u00a0If that\u2019s what you are looking for, then you are going to fail miserably and at the very least never even come close to your potential.<\/p>\n
Now, the reason for this is very simple: you need as many \u201cstrategies\u201d as possible to win the game. \u00a0Not because you will use them all but because every situation and circumstance is different.<\/p>\n
This is why \u2013 bluntly \u2013 our industry gets a bad rap because everyone is trying to sell doctors just like you greener grass and constantly convincing them to be and do something they aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n
If you aren\u2019t on insurance, you should be.<\/p>\n
If you are on insurance, you shouldn\u2019t be.<\/p>\n
If you are referring stuff out, bring it in.<\/p>\n
If you aren\u2019t aggressively advertising, start.<\/p>\n
If you are wasting money on marketing, stop.<\/p>\n
I could go on and on and on. \u00a0For every single thing there is someone trying to tell you to do the opposite. \u00a0That if you make just this one change, it will fix everything.<\/p>\n
They sell these easy-buttons and magic-bullets regardless of how it fits your identity, your philosophy and your vision. \u00a0Not surprisingly, it has to do more with what they sell than what you need.<\/p>\n
How about, instead, you just be you. \u00a0Perhaps that\u2019s not as exciting of an idea, but it\u2019s a much more profitable and long-term approach.<\/p>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t reinvent yourself. \u00a0That doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t and shouldn\u2019t change. \u00a0What it does mean is YOU should be making decisions about what YOU want not what someone else tells you.<\/p>\n
This is why clarity of vision, purpose, practice model, lifestyle, clinical philosophy and overall goals in and out of the practice matter so much; because they become your foundation, your litmus test, your compass as to how you make decisions.<\/p>\n
Of course, you keep learning and are always open minded to everything but that doesn\u2019t mean you are a feather in the wind changing directions with every new trend.<\/p>\n
You can\u2019t be successful (let alone rich, happy, fulfilled) being a wander in business. \u00a0You must be firmly grounded.<\/p>\n
I had a Doctor last year (a dear friend and very special client), who had an increase in his \u2018advanced dentistry\u2019 by REMOVING a procedure from his practice. \u00a0He dismissed a particular type of patient procedure so that it could free up his time to do more of what he wants to focus on. \u00a0It wasn\u2019t because he didn\u2019t love the procedure or want to help the patients, but he had to make a decision. \u00a0Since he knows what his main objectives are, it was easy.<\/p>\n
My entire point here is this: there are proven principles that matter and must be in place, but there are no set number of \u2018strategies\u2019 and there is never the ONE thing that will make all the difference for you. \u00a0Success is a customized recipe with many different ingredients. \u00a0The combination of ingredients change over time and are different for each doctor \u2013 it all depends on what you what want.<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t give you cookie cutter or one size fits all strategies for Christmas this year or any year. \u00a0I do give you principles every single week that apply to everyone. \u00a0The tactics though, depend on your situation, your circumstances, your vision and, most importantly, where you are headed next.<\/p>\n
What I can give you is your very own 2019 Practice Success Blueprint Plan. \u00a0You can read all about what it is and why it is so valuable and then make a decision if it\u2019s for you or not \u2013 all depends on your ambition and what you want to make happen for yourself next year\u2026<\/p>\n
We have another week left before I will formally wish you a New Year. \u00a0Today, this Friday before Christmas, I remind you that in life and your practice you get to choose your own gifts, fill up your own stockings and give as freely as you want.<\/p>\n
You should be deliberately deciding and then intentionally doing whatever is necessary to make your own gifts a reality. \u00a0That reminds me of one of my very favorite quotes\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not telling you it\u2019s going to be easy, I\u2019m telling you it\u2019s going to be worth it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, there is the \u2018hard work\u2019 way and then there is the \u2018smart work\u2019 way. \u00a0Both work \u2013 one far better than the other \u2013 and each path and plan completely and necessarily customized and uniquely your own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"