“If you look at your own life, you realize that it isn't always the great successes that produce who you are. In many cases the adversity in your life has made you who you are. The events that shape us are not necessarily positive, but they are the passages that we go through as a person and as a leader.”-David Dotlich

Members of PREFERRED's management team had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the legendary coach Lou Holtz and to hear him speak at the AAPPO conference in January. There are few words that could adequately describe this experience. The man is simply a marvel. Among the numerous poignant and inspirational points in Coach Holtz’s speech, one stood out: To become comfortable within our existing success is to become dormant. To become dormant is to cease living. What is successful today may not be a successful model tomorrow. Always strive to achieve more, while continuing to do the right things for the right reasons.

This point hits, not just in how we conduct business, but also in our personal lives. Don't sit still and don't get too comfortable. Success is work. Sometimes there are outside forces beyond our control that influence our ability to move forward at any given time; however, that should not discourage us from “fighting the good fight”, so that ultimately we can continue to help others, and in that, find not only success but fulfillment.never accept defeat as a means to an end, but rather as an opportunity to learn and grow.who has never had a failure has never had true success.

So where are we headed with this? Consider the significant changes and influences occurring in the healthcare community today. Some providers see them as insurmountable odds, while others see temporary or even permanent obstacles for what they are, and shift their approach accordingly. I am reminded of the downswing that private practice took about six years ago due to fluctuations in the market, and particularly due to the "nay-sayers" who predicted doom and gloom for independents. Many providers took this to heart and sold their practices because they feared they couldn't adjust to the changing managed care environment, and many felt they "just couldn't compete" with corporations. This isn't to say that times weren't tough, they were. But eventually it came back full circle. Now the challenges to private practice include such variables as POPTs, urgent care centers, workers’ comp legislation changes and attempts by (certain) healthcare companies to strong-arm providers into deep discounts. We've been here before. The pendulum swings, we shift, we diversify, we have contingencies. It is the ongoing challenge of being in business. Ask yourself - are you at a wall, or a door? To succeed despite obstacles, real or perceived, you need to be flexible and proactive, and have the fortitude to persevere.

Providers are more business savvy than ever, and have learned from the hard knocks of yesteryear. There are always threats, but there are always opportunities for those who refuse to sit comfortably within their existing success.

Coach Holtz has 10 steps to success that has worked for him all his life. We were fortunate to hear them at AAPPO and would like to share them with all of our members as you maneuver through your day to day activities successfully:

1. The Power of Attitude. The attitude you choose to assume toward life and everything it brings you will determine whether you realize your aspirations.
2. Tackle Adversity. You are going to be knocked down. To achieve success, you are going to have to solve problems.
3. Have a Sense of Purpose. Understand what you are trying to do.
4. Make Sacrifice your Ally. You can’t be successful without making sacrifices.
5. Adapt or Die. Things are always changing, so embrace the fact that your life and career are always in transition.
6. Chase Your Dreams. All great accomplishments start with a dream.
7. Nurture Your Self-Image. A positive self-image grows out of having strong character.
8. Foster Trust. All relationships are based on trust.
9. Commit to Excellence. Do everything to the best of your ability.
10. Handle with Care. Treat others as you would like to be treated – with concern and care.

Source: “Winning Every Day – Lou Holtz The Game Plan for Success”
Harper Collins Publishers 1998