subject: What Is Motivating About Practice Management? [print this page] If you are involved in the role of practice management then you are quite aware of the need to motivate employees from time to time. Typical motivators will include things like rewards, incentives, accolades, etc. What happens is these are external forces providing the energy for accomplishing tasks or projects. This works for a while, but how is a practice manager motivated?
Some might say there are bonuses awarded to managers who bring down the accounts receivable to single digits. Other managers might receive a commission on products sold or new patients or clientele. Then there is the project manager who is rated on productivity for motivation. With the cost of healthcare changes today, it is difficult to provide enough incentives to motivate practice managers today. What is a doctor or facility to do about this dilemma?
Moreover, the question becomes, how can a practice manager be motivated today? It is thought-provoking to discover that inspiration (which is so closely related to motivation) is an internal force of energy. In other words, it is an inside job. For one to be perpetually motivated, they must be inspired.
The word inspiration means to "be in spirit" and this can come in many ways. It is the act of arousing excitement; and it cannot be faked for very long. You know you are inspired when the day has gone by and you forgot the time; or you may be working on a project and forget to eat or drink. You also know that you are inspired when you take on risks or projects with full abandon even without being prepared.
So how does a practice manager get inspired?
1. First, you have to know what inspires you. If you are not sure, ask your family or friends to weigh in on what they think you are most passionate about. They can usually tell you very quickly several things that you are light up about. It may be things you talk about or people you deal with on a regular basis.
2. Once you determine your passion, you must be able to clearly state it and claim it to others. Owning it will instill it within you.
3. You must then begin to nurture your passion with what inspires you most. Some people use photographs or vision boards to remind them of their dream. Others prefer music, books or even other people. Let yourself be surrounded by what inspires you.
4. Allow others around you to express their inspiration and passion. Accepting another person's vision is a form of highest praise. You can lead by example and provide guidance in inspiring your staff to greatness.
Remember that your inspiration is contagious and will be that thing that gets you up in the morning earnestly looking forward to the day and the outcome it brings. Others will sense this urgency inside you and it can be just the spark you needed to bring about desired change within your practice setting. Because motivating ourselves is not really about an outward circumstance, but more about an inward manifestation of true lasting inspiring passion. There is no better reward than to live within your dream.
