*Below is the forum version. To view the newsletter complete with images, please download the attached PDF file.
G = GOALS…
Goals are so important to any practice and to anyone’s successful life that this month the entire newsletter is devoted to the letter “G” – GOALS.
Goal setting is not new, however, few people actually know how to effectively set and accomplish their goals. Hint number one, if the goals are not written, they are merely wishes. The easiest way to lose your own way in life or for your practice to lose its way is to omit Goal setting.
“People with goals succeed because they know where they are going. It’s as simple as that.” – Earl Nightingale
1. Write your OWN personal mission/vision/purpose statement. Write a Practice Mission/Vision statement. If you need help, Read Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Successful People for the process. Goals that flow from your vision of your best life or your dream practice will be in alignment.
2. Set goals for accomplishing as well as for the personal development it takes for you to achieve your goals. Here are some guidelines:
State your Goals positively. For example, “I weigh 125 pounds” NOT “I want to lose 25 pounds.”
Set realistic goals with a STRETCH in them. I once taught a scheduling class which includes setting practice goals based on past performance. An office manager in the class wanted to know if her practice goals were realistic. The goal the dentist set for himself was $5,000 per day. I asked her what was the dentist’s average daily production (a part of their pre-class work.) She said $2,568. $5,000 is an unrealistic goal for this practice at this time. She said it was discouraging the team. Over time, the $5,000 is absolutely attainable.
Goals must include personal transformation and new success habits. For example, in the $5,000 goal above, the dentist and the entire team would have to change some habits to have the ability to consistently diagnose, treatment plan, have patient acceptance and deliver $5,000 of dental care daily.
3. Understand why most people don’t set goals and may not support you in setting your goals. Goal setting is a success habit of the TOP 10 percent of people and practices. Reasons people don’t set goals:
risk of failure
specific goals are too hard
goals create work and cHAnGe
don’t know how or I don’t value written goals
others will think _____ (fill in the blank of what others will think.) Truth is “others” won’t support your goals because 90 percent of “others” are OK where they are in mediocrity and would love for you to stay there with them!
4. Consider goals in four main areas of life. Balance is important.
Physical improvement goals
Relationship/Family improvement goals
Spiritual Improvement goals
“Man, with God’s help and personal dedication, is capable of anything he can dream.” – Conrad Hilton
Career development, financial or practice goals
5. Write and date your goals. Create steps with time lines to reach your goals by a specific deadline. Break down the goal accomplishment into the specific steps to reach the goal by a deadline. Deadlines give you a sense of urgency that you will miss with vague timelines.
6. Examine your fears, barriers, excuses, and find a way to conquer them.
Feed yourself GOOD mind food. The best book for this is the classic – Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Listen to something inspirational each morning on the way to the practice. (Leave the news OFF.)
Monitor what you read and listen to – is it uplifting or not? Soap operas are not uplifting
Read something positive for 30 minutes before bed.
Find positive people to associate with – people who will stretch you
7. Review progress and reset goals regularly.
Remember, Goal SETTING can be easy but Goal Getting takes consistent behaviors that move you toward accomplishment despite the ups and downs of life which will come to you.
Here’s an inspiration from Zig Ziglar from his book See You at The Top:
“I, ___________, recognize that to reach my goals I must grow personally and have the right mental attitude, so I promise to specifically increase my knowledge in my chosen field and regularly read positive growth books and magazines. …Persistence and commitment are prerequisite to reaching any goal so I promise myself that I am going to faithfully work on my goals EVERY day. I will chart my progress and recommit myself to my direction as I head to the TOP!”
Take this month’s newsletter to heart. Review it with your New Year’s Resolutions in hand. Share it with your team AND with your family.
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