Last time I elaborated on two of the winning (and essential)
traits exhibited by the New England Patriots. The Patriots had
the NFL's first undefeated regular season in 35 years! Of
course they are hoping to finish off a "Perfect Season" by winning
the Super Bowl in just 9 days. Needless to say this will likely
be the most-watched Super Bowl in recent memory.
The character traits that I covered last week are Leadership and
Preparation. This week, I'll discuss the other two primary traits
that are absolutely necessary to consistently come out on top.
Here they are:
3. Motivation - This one's a biggie! Throughout this entire NFL
season, the Patriots have ALWAYS acted as a motivated team.
Motivated to be the BEST. Hungry for victory no matter how many
times they've tasted it. So hungry in fact that they won many
of their games by demoralizing margins. There was NO QUESTION
that this team was the better team in every game they played...
even the close ones.
(I'm not saying this just because I'm a fan. Just to prove it,
I'll publicly admit that Duke University is consistently the best
motivated college basketball team, period. And I'm a UNC Tar Heel!)
Not once did the Patriots appear as complacent, or as if they
would just win because they showed up. In fact, Coach Belichick
and the team went out of their way to emphasize the areas where
they needed to IMPROVE all season long. They called it "eating
Humble Pie".
The only way to continuously win when everyone's gunning for you
is to maintain your motivation to win. If you let down, get
complacent, take it easy, you're toast.
The same applies in business. If you spend too much time resting
on your recent success, you'll find yourself wondering what
happened when you experience a slow-down. Ask me how I know!
You'll find that it's more difficult to stay motivated when you
are most successful...and even when you are facing the biggest
obstacles. Those are precisely the two times when you NEED your
motivation and drive the most! Don't let up. And as the late
great college basketball coach Jim Valvano said:
"Don't give up. Don't EVER give up!"
4. Resiliency - I debated with myself about how I wanted to
charactarize this final trait. I chose "Resiliency" because it's
meaning is most accurate for all that I want to get across.
Surely there are other appropriate words, and even more traits
to add to my list of four, but I think these are the foundation
upon which the others are built.
Resiliency is the ability to quickly recover from adversity...to
SPRING back from challenges and obstacles that are in your path.
Another way to look at it is to be able to deal with the "curve
balls", or unexpected events, that are thrown your way.
This skill is SO important...and it is a skill...a learned trait
that takes time and effort to develop. Some are naturally better
at this than others, but anyone can train themselves to become
more and more resilient...IF they possess the MOTIVATION to do
so (wink wink)!
Back to the Patriots. Several times this season, their back was up
against the wall. They even were within sight of defeat on a few
occasions. But they didn't panic. They ADAPTED their strategies
and pressed forward, and methodically so at that. They never
lost control of their game plan.
The key to resiliency is being NIMBLE, ready to adapt to changes
in the environment. On numerous occasions the Patriots did
just that, and they endedd each game victorious.
Most people have a "deer in headlights" reaction when faced with
challenges, either forseen or unforeseen. They are stunned, frozen,
uncertain, even fearful. That's the kiss of death in business.
It's how you react to the challenges you face that determines your
outcomes. Wanna know my secret to "quick recovery" when things
don't go so well? Here it is:
ACCEPT it as it is...THEN focus on the SOLUTION...then ACT!
Many people spend way too much time wallowing in their despair.
This gets them nowhere. Instead, zoom in on your goals, look
THROUGH any obstacles you perceive, and DRIVE toward those goals!
In the end it really comes down to your:
Leadership
Preparation
Motivation
Resiliency
Work on those characteristics, and watch your practice continue
to SOAR!
All my best,
Chris
PS: Take a Test Drive of Preferred Membership today, and
receive over $2173.00 worth of *FREE* bonuses! Limited offer
expires on January 31, 2008. Click here for more info:
www.DentalInsiders.com/testdrive
Jan 25, 2008
Jan 22, 2008
The “Perfect” Patriots! Part 1 of 2
I've been waiting for several weeks to send this message
to you. I didn't want to jump the gun, but now seems to
be the right time. Please, no emails about jinxing my
favorite football team! Even if you're not a fan, please
read on, because there are some lessons about that too.
The "Perfect" Patriots!
If you have even the slightest interest in professional
football, you probably know that the New England Patriots
are undefeated...18-0...and just one game away from having
just the 4th "perfect season" in NFL history. In fact,
yesterday they surpassed the 1972 Miami Dolphins (17-0) to
become the winningest team ever in the NFL (single season).
They've made it to their 4th Super Bowl in just 7 years,
an unbelievable achievement when you consider today's age
of free agency and less cohesive teams.
Why have the Patriots been so good for so long? Well, it's
impossible for me to list all the reasons in this message...
but I'll focus on four of the biggies. What you'll want to
do is take these traits and apply them to YOUR business.
(Part 1 lists the first 2...Part 2 will list the next 2.)
1- Leadership - No question, the Patriots have an amazing leader
in head coach Bill Belichick. No, he's not "Mr. Personality",
but he doesn't need to be. He could care less about
what others think of him. He is concerned about the team
accomplishing it's goals, and that's it.
Belichick provides CLEAR direction for his team, and gives them
the latitude to perform to his high expectations. Even seemingly
"difficult" players such as star wide receiver Randy Moss thrive
in the coach's system. He treats them like adults, but holds
them to the highest standards.
Among the actual players are several excellent team leaders too.
They help to keep the entire team together as a unit, which is
an absolute necessity in football. The Patriots are a remarkably
MATURE team...they rarely "talk trash", but they exude a quiet
confidence that is rare in sports.
2- Preparation - NO team in the talent-rich NFL is more prepared
that the New England Patriots. By the time they take the field
on game day, they've reviewed the film, formulated their plan,
rehearsed, rehearsed, rehearsed. They're just READY to go...
consistently...and they know it.
Coach Belichick's reputation as the league's most thorough and
exhaustive preparer has been validated by his team's performance.
The Pats, at least so far, have had an answer for EVERY situation
that has arisen. You can't do that if you fly by the seat of
your pants.
It's the preparation that makes this team so "calm". Without
it they would appear stressed and in disarray. In every
game they appear as if it's a matter of routine for them to
win. So far that's been the result.
Now...think of how you can apply the above two principles to YOUR
PRACTICE. Go back and reread the above message, but envision
YOURSELF as the "head coach" and YOUR DENTAL TEAM as the
"Patriots". Then share this message with your team.
Work together to approach each day in your practice like the
Patriots approach each game, and you'll find youself well on
your way to NEW LEVELS OF SUCCESS...and maybe even
your very own "Perfect Season".
Next time in Part 2, I'll reveal the final 2 traits that I feel
are the major contributors to New England's unprecedented success.
Stay tuned!
All my best,
Chris
PS: Take a Test Drive of Preferred Membership today, and
receive over $2173.00 worth of *FREE* bonuses! Limited offer
expires on January 31, 2008. Click here for more info:
www.DentalInsiders.com/testdrive
to you. I didn't want to jump the gun, but now seems to
be the right time. Please, no emails about jinxing my
favorite football team! Even if you're not a fan, please
read on, because there are some lessons about that too.
The "Perfect" Patriots!
If you have even the slightest interest in professional
football, you probably know that the New England Patriots
are undefeated...18-0...and just one game away from having
just the 4th "perfect season" in NFL history. In fact,
yesterday they surpassed the 1972 Miami Dolphins (17-0) to
become the winningest team ever in the NFL (single season).
They've made it to their 4th Super Bowl in just 7 years,
an unbelievable achievement when you consider today's age
of free agency and less cohesive teams.
Why have the Patriots been so good for so long? Well, it's
impossible for me to list all the reasons in this message...
but I'll focus on four of the biggies. What you'll want to
do is take these traits and apply them to YOUR business.
(Part 1 lists the first 2...Part 2 will list the next 2.)
1- Leadership - No question, the Patriots have an amazing leader
in head coach Bill Belichick. No, he's not "Mr. Personality",
but he doesn't need to be. He could care less about
what others think of him. He is concerned about the team
accomplishing it's goals, and that's it.
Belichick provides CLEAR direction for his team, and gives them
the latitude to perform to his high expectations. Even seemingly
"difficult" players such as star wide receiver Randy Moss thrive
in the coach's system. He treats them like adults, but holds
them to the highest standards.
Among the actual players are several excellent team leaders too.
They help to keep the entire team together as a unit, which is
an absolute necessity in football. The Patriots are a remarkably
MATURE team...they rarely "talk trash", but they exude a quiet
confidence that is rare in sports.
2- Preparation - NO team in the talent-rich NFL is more prepared
that the New England Patriots. By the time they take the field
on game day, they've reviewed the film, formulated their plan,
rehearsed, rehearsed, rehearsed. They're just READY to go...
consistently...and they know it.
Coach Belichick's reputation as the league's most thorough and
exhaustive preparer has been validated by his team's performance.
The Pats, at least so far, have had an answer for EVERY situation
that has arisen. You can't do that if you fly by the seat of
your pants.
It's the preparation that makes this team so "calm". Without
it they would appear stressed and in disarray. In every
game they appear as if it's a matter of routine for them to
win. So far that's been the result.
Now...think of how you can apply the above two principles to YOUR
PRACTICE. Go back and reread the above message, but envision
YOURSELF as the "head coach" and YOUR DENTAL TEAM as the
"Patriots". Then share this message with your team.
Work together to approach each day in your practice like the
Patriots approach each game, and you'll find youself well on
your way to NEW LEVELS OF SUCCESS...and maybe even
your very own "Perfect Season".
Next time in Part 2, I'll reveal the final 2 traits that I feel
are the major contributors to New England's unprecedented success.
Stay tuned!
All my best,
Chris
PS: Take a Test Drive of Preferred Membership today, and
receive over $2173.00 worth of *FREE* bonuses! Limited offer
expires on January 31, 2008. Click here for more info:
www.DentalInsiders.com/testdrive
Jan 11, 2008
What Is “The Greatest Danger”?
How ya doin' today? Fantastic I hope!
What is "The Greatest Danger"? I'll reveal
it in a minute. But first...
It's 11 days into January already.
Have you set your goals for 2008 yet?
If so, great. NOW is the time to REVIEW them
and REVISE them...but not until you read this
whole message.
If not, that's OK, but let's get on it right away!
In fact, immediately after this message is the BEST
time to finalize your goal setting.
How HIGH have you set the bar in 2008 for your practice?
Is it high enough? There's one easy way to know.
Take a look at your goals as you have them WRITTEN DOWN
(hint hint). If you're thinking to yourself, "Yeah,
I can do that", then they're TOO LOW!
If you're thinking, "Wow, that's going to be a big challenge",
then your goal levels are better...but not quite there yet.
But if you examine your 2008 goals and you're thinking,
"Holy Cow! That seems virtually impossible! We would
have to do everything perfectly, AND the planets and stars
would have to line up, for us to hit those goals"...
well, NOW you've got your goals at the right level!!
I know, you may wonder why I'd encourage you to set goals
that may seem unachievable. It may drive some of you CRAZY
to think that you may not hit your goals. But actually
hitting them is NOT the biggest deal, when they're properly
set. In fact, you avoid "the greatest danger", as defined
by the great Michelangelo:
"The greatest danger for us is NOT that our aim is too high
and we miss, but that it is too LOW and we achieve it."
-Michelangelo
Even if you just miss STELLAR goals, when you look back
you'll realize thay you're a whole lot farther ahead
than you ever thought you would be!
All my best,
Chris
What is "The Greatest Danger"? I'll reveal
it in a minute. But first...
It's 11 days into January already.
Have you set your goals for 2008 yet?
If so, great. NOW is the time to REVIEW them
and REVISE them...but not until you read this
whole message.
If not, that's OK, but let's get on it right away!
In fact, immediately after this message is the BEST
time to finalize your goal setting.
How HIGH have you set the bar in 2008 for your practice?
Is it high enough? There's one easy way to know.
Take a look at your goals as you have them WRITTEN DOWN
(hint hint). If you're thinking to yourself, "Yeah,
I can do that", then they're TOO LOW!
If you're thinking, "Wow, that's going to be a big challenge",
then your goal levels are better...but not quite there yet.
But if you examine your 2008 goals and you're thinking,
"Holy Cow! That seems virtually impossible! We would
have to do everything perfectly, AND the planets and stars
would have to line up, for us to hit those goals"...
well, NOW you've got your goals at the right level!!
I know, you may wonder why I'd encourage you to set goals
that may seem unachievable. It may drive some of you CRAZY
to think that you may not hit your goals. But actually
hitting them is NOT the biggest deal, when they're properly
set. In fact, you avoid "the greatest danger", as defined
by the great Michelangelo:
"The greatest danger for us is NOT that our aim is too high
and we miss, but that it is too LOW and we achieve it."
-Michelangelo
Even if you just miss STELLAR goals, when you look back
you'll realize thay you're a whole lot farther ahead
than you ever thought you would be!
All my best,
Chris
Jan 7, 2008
BIG Lesson From Ocean Reef Club
First, a belated Happy New Year to you! I hope your
holiday season was special.
-----------------------------------------------------
BIG Lesson From Ocean Reef Club
I've been away from work and my laptop for the past two
weeks. I loved the time off because I got to spend extra
time with my beautiful wife Elizabeth and our three amazing
kids Reid (4), Kenan (2), and Olivia (almost 1).
We had the pleasure of spending six days at the Ocean Reef Club,
an amazing private resort in Key Largo, Florida. While just
getting there and back with three little ones is an adventure
itself, the vacation was awesome. Plus I picked up on a BIG
lesson that I'll share with you here. See if you can find it
in this message.
There is one word that best describes the Ocean Reef Club:
R-I-C-H
Occupying the north end of Key Largo, the ORC is a private gated
community. Very few people actually live there, but there are
hundreds and hundreds of multi-million dollar homes and condos.
These are second and third homes for ORC members who travel there
frequently.
The grounds and facilities of this townlike place are immaculately
groomed, including the coolest multi-pool / beach / watersports
area I've ever seen, called Buccaneer Island. The staff is 5-star
all the way. And they plan events for all age groups to enjoy
that are first class.
OK, I'll stop raving...but not until I tell you about the marina.
HOLY COW! The YACHTS outnumber the boats by 3:1, and they are
everywhere at the ORC. Either in the main marina or parked just
outside the doorstep of a home or condo, it's not uncommon to
see a 100-ft monster tied up behind a luxurious 2BR/2BA townhome.
Lastly, this place wouldn't be complete without its own PRIVATE
AIRPORT that can support large jets with ease! Many members
actually fly in to the Ocean Reef on their private planes to
overcome the inconvenience of getting there (1 1/2 hour drive
from Miami Int'l Airport). Once on the island, most go from
place to place on their own tricked out golf carts. I saw a
few "Hummers" and a couple "Rolls Royce" carts, for example.
Needless to say, the ORC is designed to accommodate and cater to
the wealthy...even the ultra-rich. They TARGET that demographic,
and provide the amenities that they demand.
Private airstrip for easy access...no problem. Lush landscaped
lots for the next vacation home...sure. Deep water canal to
park the yacht on the doorstep...yep. Five star facilities
and staff to meet just about every request...absolutely!
There's your lesson. The Ocean Reef Club selected their clientele
FIRST...then created an ideal environment for that clientele.
What about YOUR dental practice environment?
Is your practice set up properly for your "ideal patient"?
Have you defined exactly who your "ideal patient" is?
That's the first step!
If you want the "rich and famous" as patients (not necessarily
a recommendation for everyone), then make sure your practice
is prepared to accommodate them and their demands. Want a more
middle class patient base? If so, then you don't really need
to have an "Ocean Reef" practice.
Either way, making sure that the WHAT (your target patients) and
the WHERE (your practice environment) are in alignment is of
the utmost importance!
All my best,
Chris
holiday season was special.
-----------------------------------------------------
BIG Lesson From Ocean Reef Club
I've been away from work and my laptop for the past two
weeks. I loved the time off because I got to spend extra
time with my beautiful wife Elizabeth and our three amazing
kids Reid (4), Kenan (2), and Olivia (almost 1).
We had the pleasure of spending six days at the Ocean Reef Club,
an amazing private resort in Key Largo, Florida. While just
getting there and back with three little ones is an adventure
itself, the vacation was awesome. Plus I picked up on a BIG
lesson that I'll share with you here. See if you can find it
in this message.
There is one word that best describes the Ocean Reef Club:
R-I-C-H
Occupying the north end of Key Largo, the ORC is a private gated
community. Very few people actually live there, but there are
hundreds and hundreds of multi-million dollar homes and condos.
These are second and third homes for ORC members who travel there
frequently.
The grounds and facilities of this townlike place are immaculately
groomed, including the coolest multi-pool / beach / watersports
area I've ever seen, called Buccaneer Island. The staff is 5-star
all the way. And they plan events for all age groups to enjoy
that are first class.
OK, I'll stop raving...but not until I tell you about the marina.
HOLY COW! The YACHTS outnumber the boats by 3:1, and they are
everywhere at the ORC. Either in the main marina or parked just
outside the doorstep of a home or condo, it's not uncommon to
see a 100-ft monster tied up behind a luxurious 2BR/2BA townhome.
Lastly, this place wouldn't be complete without its own PRIVATE
AIRPORT that can support large jets with ease! Many members
actually fly in to the Ocean Reef on their private planes to
overcome the inconvenience of getting there (1 1/2 hour drive
from Miami Int'l Airport). Once on the island, most go from
place to place on their own tricked out golf carts. I saw a
few "Hummers" and a couple "Rolls Royce" carts, for example.
Needless to say, the ORC is designed to accommodate and cater to
the wealthy...even the ultra-rich. They TARGET that demographic,
and provide the amenities that they demand.
Private airstrip for easy access...no problem. Lush landscaped
lots for the next vacation home...sure. Deep water canal to
park the yacht on the doorstep...yep. Five star facilities
and staff to meet just about every request...absolutely!
There's your lesson. The Ocean Reef Club selected their clientele
FIRST...then created an ideal environment for that clientele.
What about YOUR dental practice environment?
Is your practice set up properly for your "ideal patient"?
Have you defined exactly who your "ideal patient" is?
That's the first step!
If you want the "rich and famous" as patients (not necessarily
a recommendation for everyone), then make sure your practice
is prepared to accommodate them and their demands. Want a more
middle class patient base? If so, then you don't really need
to have an "Ocean Reef" practice.
Either way, making sure that the WHAT (your target patients) and
the WHERE (your practice environment) are in alignment is of
the utmost importance!
All my best,
Chris
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