It is all too easy for established medical practices to settle into feelings of comfort, security and satisfaction. After all, you’ve done the careful, hard work of building your brand and the relationships that support it. It would be so nice to simply coast.
The problem is the world is constantly changing, especially in healthcare. What worked yesterday or even today may not meet the expectations for tomorrow. Patients are more discerning in their decisions. And competitors are looking to capitalize on your weaknesses as well as new opportunities you may have overlooked.
I like the Cambridge Dictionary definition of complacency: “a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder”
So how can you avoid complacency in your practice?
More listening.
More exploring.
More thinking.
More doing.
Ask your patients and referral sources how you are doing. Engage your staff in looking for ways to improve care and service. And at least once a year, step away for a day with your physician partners and leadership team to talk about the big issues, challenges and new opportunities. Then take action.
Try harder. Your continued success depends on it.