We started with a vision. A vision to have an online network of mentors, made up of top-level CEOs and executives, sharing insights with the healthcare community. Our vision is finally becoming a reality, and America’s Healthcare Leaders (AHL) has opened enrollment for new members!
Embracing my “if it’s to be, it’s up to me” philosophy, my team has worked tirelessly to reach the goals we have set up for AHL. In my latest posts we have been discussing three specific ways to maximize success:
- Set Goals using the SMARTER Acronym – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-framed, Exciting, and Reviewed.
- Remove obstacles and barriers to success.
- Allocate your time wisely.
My team has firmly established the goals we would like to achieve for AHL, but we know we will face obstacles along the way. This week I would like to look at how we remove those obstacles and barriers to success.
The Importance of Embracing Obstacles
Embracing obstacles may not seem like the best advice for success, but let me explain. By embracing your problems, you are doing one very specific thing: you are acknowledging the problem exists. That acknowledgment is the first step toward action. One of the most recent examples of an obstacle thrown in our path with the launch of AHL is the potential to grow quickly and the technological implications this creates. By acknowledging those issues, we are meeting them head on.
Planning Ahead
Once an obstacle has been embraced, a plan of action can be decided. When running an obstacle course you typically devise a plan of attack. Decathlons are similar to obstacle courses. Each athlete participates in multiple different track and field events; each has to know how to take on each obstacle in the race and know the amount of energy needed for each event. Planning and preparation are essential to completing the course. Planning ahead also enables you to be less stressed when problems do arise. You already knew the potential was there and planned accordingly.
Accepting Help
While it seems like the easiest part of overcoming barriers, this is often the most difficult. We want to do things on our own and don’t want to have to rely on others. Every now and then, an AHL team member will bring up an issue and come to me for a decision. As much as I would like to have the knowledge to help with all problems, sometimes I have to defer to others and accept help to rectify the issue. I have to admit that it might not be my area of expertise. Though sometimes difficult, letting others help you is important.
Obstacles don’t have to be something to be dreaded. You can still obtain success for yourself and your organization by following these efficient and effective guidelines:
- Embrace Obstacles
- Plan Ahead
- Accept Help
I would love to hear some stories of how you—or your organization—have been able to overcome a specific obstacle. What are some ways you were able to be successful in spite of the obstacles that arose?
