Over the past year I have been exposed to new business ideas that have enhanced my ability to serve clients and has impacted how I go about life. Possibly my favorite new concept was learned from Jay Geier, Founder of The Scheduling Institute. Jay’s phrase Frustration Leads To Breakthrough seems simple on the surface, but when applied to business often results in new processes that create change. When you are continuously bumping into a problem that is prohibiting you from reaching your destination or full potential this thought forces you to keep searching. Searching for the breakthrough that you need to advance. This continued search also provides you hope. Hope that there is change coming; you just have to seek it out. True success can be elusive.
I have found a way to put apply a scientific formula to shorten the time that it takes to reach the point of breakthrough! This equation allows you to turn problem solving into a process. The process will lead you out of the problem area. So read on to learn more about what I have found.
Recently, Brent Saunier, CPA shared the concept of E + R = O with me that he learned through his Continuing Education Curriculum. Brent recognizing the potential application to our business and how we serve our clients asked me to further investigate the concept. I am really glad that he did; E + R = O is a game changer.
My research led me to a brilliant communicator, Kent Julian. Kent speaks passionately into the lives of teens and many adult leadership groups. Much of his teaching is centered around how the E + R = O concept. Events + Response = Outcome is a formula that rescued him at an early point in his life, a point in which he now self describes himself as an “at risk youth”. Today, now years later, Kent speaks passionately about how this formula for success has impacted so many lives. Over the past month I have began to apply this formula to a multitude of circumstances in my own life. I have seen a significant impact in creating clarity within a variety of situations, thus leading to breakthroughs both personally and professionally.
When applying this formula to a situation begin by asking the question, What would I like to change? Most often times we are looking to change the Outcome of a situation. Whether it is your personal finances, grades, relationships etc that you are looking for that breakthrough or changed outcome, apply the equation. The changed outcome will mean more money, brighter future, greater success which is ultimately a life which is more fulfilled and advancing. If there wasn’t some change in outcome that we were searching for then it wouldn’t be deemed a problem, right?
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
– Albert Einstein
Focus on Your Response
The one variable within any situation that we can control is always going to be “Our Response” to the occurrence or Event (E). Successful people don’t get caught up in the blame game! Blaming the weather, the economy, the government or any outside force or event that they can’t control. Remember, if you want a new outcome you must change how you respond to the events of your life.
Examples:
Dental Practice
Example A
Dentist (A) is feeling the pinch of lower revenue. Dentist (A) has spent his entire career in his/her town, doing minimal marketing, and now there is a new dentist in town, Dentist (B), who just opened up down the street. Will it be beneficial for the Dentist (A) to blame Dentist (B) for his loss of revenue? No! Will it be beneficial to complain that they aren’t doing quality work down in Dentist (B)’s office? No!
Remember, Focus on What You Can Control! What Outcome (O) are we desiring? More Money! How do we get more money in a dental practice? More Patients. Our Response (R) has to be centered around acquiring more patients. Marketing leads to new patients, which leads to revenue. The proper Response (R) would be to create a new and engaging marketing campaign.
Example B
I recently met with a dental practice that was frustrated with their accountant of 30 years. They desperately want different results as it relates to their practice’ accounting and financial systems that are in place. They have paid additional taxes throughout the years that could have been avoided. Now they are faced with a decision point. Clearly they want different results, but are they willing to disrupt a relationship that has been in place for so long? and just to remain cordial?
Don’t allow yourself to remain with the status quo when change is needed. Face the the point of decision with all of the knowledge necessary to provide you with the confidence that you are making the right decision. Often times we overthink certain decisions which leads to making no decision; which is possibly the wrong decision. Apply the formula and determine the proper response to create the desired outcome.
Golf
If you have ever spent much time in a golf clubhouse or perhaps are married to a golfer you have heard all of the excuses in the book. The weather, my clubs are old, bad back, the greens are rough…….. and on and on it goes. One of my favorites lines from my college days of working at a Country Club came from our teaching pro, Bob Burke. Bob’s response to a golfer who was claiming that his clubs were to blame for his poor score, “It’s not the Arrows…. it’s the Indian”. Clearly, Bob’s point was indicating that the golf clubs are not to blame; it was his inability to use them correctly that attributed to the poor score. Applying our formula, we would indicate that the Event (E) is golf, the desired change is the Outcome (O) or a better score. The Response (R) for this particular golfer wasn’t to get new clubs or even to blame the old ones. The proper Response (R) is to change his/her swing. Translating that into action items means to get lessons or simply practice.
When thinking about the different facets of your life whether its health, personal finances or your practice/business finances or relationships; what area is deficient? Is there an area that by applying this formula could lead to the breakthrough that you desire?
I hope to hear from you on Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn or Google+ about the success stories that are created from applying the formula!
Be sure to use #DDSSuccess
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