‘Tis the time of year to take stock of 2010 and look to 2011. For many, the year has been one that many wish to go away as soon as possible. Good riddance!
The reality is that Mother Nature and the Life Stream are constantly teaching us lessons, whether we want to hear them or not. Are you listening?
If you feel stymied or frustrated with how things are right now, maybe it would be a good time to start creating the future you would like to have while learning lessons from this past year.
Until about two years ago, the economy was booming. Optimism was on fire and money seemed plentiful. Even the mediocre could do quite well, thank you, by riding this wave of good times. Most practices and businesses rode that wave, never imagining they would need to prepare for the time when the wave had run its course.
Now many of those same businesses and practices have experienced a severe hurt or have gone out of business completely. They were simply unprepared.
The first lesson: always prepare for the future.
Our economy is cyclic. It has highs and lows. I don't see that changing anytime soon.
Early on in my career I learned a lesson from my father-in-law, Bob. He was a homebuilder. He had been for 30 years by the time I met him. At the time, there was a building lull. He was busy, but not too much so. I asked how he was coping with it.
He said, "I prepared for it. When the getting is good, I put money in reserves. I expand some, but not further than I can stand should the tide turn. When the times aren't so good, I can make it quite nicely."
Bob had planned for his future in his own way. Financial conservatism was his mantra. He played a defensive game.
The key was that he planned for his future based on his experience of his past. That is the second lesson. Learn from the past. History repeats itself because so many do not learn from it. Be smart: use your own experience. Being wise is learning from the past experience of others – part of the value of my programs.
Most spend more time planning their vacations than their lives. Consider that food for thought.
The average Dr simply reacts to present environment. He is nearly always behind or unprepared for the present, much less the future! He is worried about tomorrow and very worried about the future in times like these.
He waits. He hopes things will go back to the way they were. Much like the 25th high school reunion, where once friends quickly run out of conversation and then awkwardly try to re-kindle those feelings of times long ago, the past can't be conjured back.
The good times wave that everyone rode has come ashore and has receded into the depths of the sea. Most lie waiting for the next wave. Hoping. And waiting. And hoping. Waiting.
That wave is gone and is not coming back.
Bob was good at living in the present. He had brought his everyday stresses to manageable levels by creating his present time circumstances. He had learned from his experiences and the experiences of others. He prepared for the part of the future he knew was coming.
Learn from the past.
Live in the present.
Prepare for the future.
Isn't it time to get in the present and proactively respond?
Best,
Charley
Copyright 2010 Charles W Martin
Dr. Martin has been a coach and consultant to some of the best dentists in the U.S. and Canada. He offers a variety of innovative solutions for the practicing dentist including private and group coaching. To learn more about his unique solutions visit www.AffluentPracticeSystems.com or call 804-320-6800.
No comments:
Post a Comment