In his classic book, Good to Great, Jim Collins writes that successful businesses have an important trait that is similar to hedgehogs: They have a singular focus and determination, and are experts in what they do.
Hedgehogs spend most of their time foraging for food. They are specialists.
You can apply this same type of focus to your practice by developing a specialty. Do one thing well. Study, train, get a mentor and become an expert. Be one of the best at it.
Hedgehogs also have a consistent strategy for dealing with adversity. When their environment is unpleasant (for example when they are bothered by another animal) they curl up, pointing their spines outward and do not engage. When the coast is clear they then resume their path with renewed determination.
You can do the same. When managed care, news reports, and colleagues all speak to the threats against practice, you do not have to engage. Ignore them. Instead, watch for opportunities. Then, when you're ready, resume your path with renewed determination, figuring out what the next best steps will be to continue to develop professionally and to grow your practice.
For the past 30 years we've been told that private practice will not survive. Yet, lo and behold, so many clinicians who have consistently focused on building a high quality practice with accompanying specialties have thriving practices. You can too.
Get the book, Good to Great, from Amazon.
