by Evan Franklin
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Team first.
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” Such are the words of Henry Ford, and they ring as true today as when they were first spoken. In an industry as specialized as healthcare they hold more weight still, as its nuances require skilled performance at every level and burnout is common. Because of its value, the team must be placed first. From affirmations of a job well done to ongoing training and educational opportunities, investing in your team pays for itself in many ways throughout your organization.
Leap.
Don’t let your insecurities guide the trajectory of your business. If you had the vision to either build your organization or get to the place that you are now, you have what it takes to push things further! While you shouldn’t make a big decision without research and due diligence, neither should you let things stagnate as a result of self-doubt. If you’re on the fence about hiring that new employee or expanding into a new market, chances are you’ll be happier having taken that leap than simply wondering what could have been.
Always be learning.
Even someone with the highest possible degree in their field is doing themselves and their organization a disservice by neglecting to further their education. Nothing is static, and those that sit back and let the world around them change are destined for a rude awakening. Luckily, in today’s digital world there are boundless ways to keep learning, and many of them can even be fun. From podcasts and webinars to blogs (like this one!) and white papers, it’s easy to set aside time every week to ensure you’re staying informed and mentally stimulated.
Have faith.
To paraphrase Scottish poet John Donne (very loosely, we might add), nobody’s an island, we’re all part of the continent. It’s important to remember this in business and in life. We often find ourselves bearing the weight of the world on our shoulders instead of turning to the many resources at our disposal, like team, family, friends or perhaps a higher power. Putting faith in these groups and individuals and knowing they’ll be there regardless of whether that project is completed on time or if that loan gets approved can help alleviate some of the more debilitating stressors of life; always remember what truly matters to you.
It’s a game.
When the weight of a daunting project or approaching deadline starts to feel insurmountable, Big Buzz’s CEO recommends looking at it like a game of “what-ifs.” This is not to trivialize the task at hand, but rather retrain your brain to slice through the pressure of the situation and examine it from new angles. Taking a moment to examine the entire board, not just the square on which your own piece resides, can reveal solutions that may not have dawned on you otherwise.
Go big or go home.
It can be tempting to find safety in the status quo. Why rock the boat in calm waters? This approach can provide momentary comfort, but it truncates opportunities to grow and become truly exceptional. We encourage you to shift from “status quo thinking” to “CEO thinking.” When you’re stuck in status quo thinking, you tend to get in your own way and trick yourself into believing that there is nothing else to be learned. CEO thinking, on the other hand, drives you to challenge yourself, become familiar with being uncomfortable, and take a humble approach that allows you to learn from others and admit when you’re wrong.
Be present.
This lesson is much easier said than done but invaluable in practice. While you can learn from the past and prepare for the future, living in either of these two realms is highly detrimental to any type of progress. Existing in the present allows you to rank your priorities and focus on the task at hand to produce work unencumbered by anxiety or regret. Honing your self-awareness skills is a helpful step towards achieving this goal. Try and observe when your mind is stuck remembering the past or worrying about the future in an unconstructive way, and then let these thoughts wash away by focusing on your immediate surroundings. A few deep breaths can go a long way, trust us.
Mind the distractions.
Just as it’s important to be present in your particular time and place, you must keep your eye on the prize. Sticking to the game plan isn’t always easy, especially in an age where there are just as many distractions in your workspace as there are outside – if not more! It can be easy to let your focus shift from the task at hand to things like the news, or your team’s standing in the league, or what you’ll wear to the party this weekend, or even other projects on your to-do list. Take a breath and remember there is a time and place for everything.
My business is not me.
Of course, your business is a significant part of your life – but it’s not the only part. If the global power grid failed tomorrow and we found ourselves in the second stone age, your business might be gone but you and all of your relationships would still be there standing strong. This is especially important to remember in turbulent times – belt-tightening, layoffs, downsizing, etc. You are not your business and your business is not you.
Enjoy the ride.
While many of these lessons pertain to managing the everyday stress of your role and muscling your way to success, they’re all for nothing if you don’t find time to enjoy yourself. Let there be levity among your team and celebrations after big wins. Embrace the serenity of calm moments, laugh at silly mistakes and reflect on all the places your journey has taken you.
We hope you find value in these lessons and wish you and your business unbridled success. If you’d like to receive more content like this, as well as access to detailed industry-related white papers and more, sign up for insights delivered right to your inbox.
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