A rocket launched by NASA uses up a large portion of its total fuel
just to escape the gravitational pull of the Earth. Once it’s beyond
Earth’s gravity it can virtually coast through space for the remainder
of its journey.
That’s momentum!
The same applies in
business - even the business of dentistry. You pay the price to
establish yourself, your expertise, your reputation of integrity, and as
a professional who produces quality services.
Then you reap the benefits for a lifetime of service to your patients and your team.
That’s momentum!
According to author/speaker, Jack Canfield, “Creating
momentum is an important part of the success process. In fact,
successful people know that if you are willing to pay the price in the
beginning, you can reap the benefits for the rest of your life.” (The Success Principles, p.137).
Your new beginning…wait…not so fast!
Momentum works to your advantage until you take a “hit.” Life happens - now what?
Your
orbit carries you back into the gravitational pull of common
circumstances. No one, not even you, the solopreneur dentist or
dentrepreneur® is protected.
Momentum protects no one. But it is a renewable asset. TWEET THIS
It’s a common question I’m asked: “How do I recover my momentum as a solopreneur?”
What
you’re asking often has less to do with business. The essence of the
question for most solopreneurs and dentrepreneurs revolves around the
“hits” you take outside the practice and business of dentistry for the
most part.
Where life happens and momentum is threatened (or dies)
- Death
- Divorce
- Disruption (illness, disease, family and financial crisis, etc.)
These are common to you and every other living, breathing human being. No one is immune from their gravitational pull.
Business momentum “killers” include:
- Dissolving partnerships
- Economic depression
- Industry regulations
- Reduced profit margins
- Local competition
How to Recover Your Momentum as a Solopreneur and Dentrepreneur®
Settle your expectations
You’re
in trouble when you say or admit to having a Plan A…with no Plan B!
Plan A only thinking is where most momentum victims struggle. TWEET THIS
You
must settle your score with fear of what’s lurking around the next turn
of life, the economy, or your industry. Basically, expect the
“worst-case-scenario.”
When you expect hard times and they come, guess what? It’s no surprise!
Let the worst-case-scenario-bad-movie-reel play out in your mind. You’re no worse off doing so.
Accept
the bad that comes with life, your work, your investments, your
relationships, your business growth and decline. “Settling-the-score”
with your expectations makes peace with the outcomes - whatever they
are.
Seek the input of dental management experience. Allow a collaborative relationship to settle your expectations and create new momentum for your dental enterprise. TWEET THIS
Inventory your assets
It’s
said that “…every cloud has a silver lining.” When you lose momentum,
whatever the cause, it’s time to take inventory of what you DO have.
Assets
flow in the direction of proactive thinking and planning (more on that
in a moment). Explore the assets within your season of dying (or dead)
momentum.
Emotional air will begin to fill your collective lungs.
First, in you, the solopreneur or dentrepreneur®, and then within your
team culture.
Ask for fresh eyes on the assets within your dental
enterprise. Collaborate with an outside perspective and you’ll perhaps
discover you have more to build new momentum with than you think.
Prepare your case study
This
is your autobiographical plan to rise like a phoenix to new levels of
personal, professional, and business success. See yourself as the
subject of a case study for momentum recovery.
See the future then apply your plans to get there.
- What steps will you take?
- Where is there new opportunity that previous momentum missed?
- Who are the stakeholders in your plan?
Preparation
is a process. Use available partnerships to help you make your case for
the next season of momentum as a solopreneur and dentrapreneur®.
Maintain a bias for action
Momentum
is the result of movement. Push or pull action is necessary to achieve
new levels of personal, professional, and dental business growth.
Make action your reflexive bias. Do something every day that moves you beyond stalled momentum.
Invite
a coaching relationship into your culture. Coaches ignite progress and
help you sustain an action bias when your own energy is lacking.
There’s help for recovering your momentum as a solopreneur and dentrapreneur®. Contact us about collaboration and coaching.