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Can Groundhog Day Make a Difference? by Larry M. Chatterley and Randon Jensen

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There is a good lesson to be learned in the movie Groundhog Day. Actor Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, a weather reporter visiting the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to do a report on Groundhog Day. Because of his self-serving actions, he wakes up every morning to the same day over and over again. This behavior illustrates a classic definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over, but expecting different results each time. After many days, Phil decides to change his attitude and become more caring and unselfish toward others. He discovers, to his delight, that this change finally breaks the cycle, and he wakes up to a new and different day.

Many times our approach to life and our professional practices is somewhat like Phil's. We want things to change for the better, but it seems we are stuck in a routine of doing the same thing over and over. Then we wonder why our lives are not better, why our practices are not growing, why our jobs are not more fulfilling? We think, "If the staff would just change their behavior, then I would be happier, or if I was in different circumstances (practice, location, etc.), I would be more successful." If disaster enters our lives, we still fail to change in a way that will lead to more happiness and success. Rather, we end up fostering resentment, bitterness and fear. It seems that the cure of changing is worse than the disease, so we just endure the disease.

One of my favorite examples of promoting positive change through altering attitude is found in the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. As you might recall, Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers at age 17. It would have been very easy for Joseph to languish in self-pity and bitterness, to squander his energy on resentment and anger toward his brothers and captors. Joseph, however, took a different approach. By implementing the more proactive attitude of forgiveness and doing the best that he could, he was, within a short time, running Potiphor's household as head servant. His proactive approach raised him from imprisoned slave to Pharaoh's chief counselor and second in command of Egypt.

English writer Samuel Johnson observed:
The foundation of contentment must spring up in the mind, and he who hath so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in fruitless efforts and multiply the grief he poses to remove.

So what do many of us do to solve our professional problems? Ask a friend for help, or maybe just make someone else the fall guy. Some might hire a practice management consultant or a personal coach to hold us accountable and motivate us to do those things that we probably already know we should do. If we are not sure what those things are, hopefully we will seek out and learn those things that can make a positive difference in our lives. Unfortunately, most practice management systems treat the symptoms but do not cure the problem. Why? Because the heart of our problem lies in our own attitudes, not in a system or a policy. It is easy to implement a new system or instruct the staff on a new policy, but changing our attitude and perception of life requires great effort. Nevertheless, the change must start with you. If you are not part of the solution, then expect to spend a lot of money and time prolonging the problem. You should expect it to be Groundhog Day every day.

So ask yourself right now, "In what ways is my attitude adding value to the lives of my staff, patients and my loved ones?"

The happiness and success we search for is already inside of us. It is found by doing what we know to be good and right, regardless of what others may think. It is our mission to discover our own individuality, uniqueness and goodness, and to affirm the same in others. We must learn a sense of unconditional love for others, without thinking "what's in it for me?" We must love others for their own good and not for ours.

Greed and selfishness are what kept Phil Connors from breaking his déjà vu cycle. If we do good things for others unselfishly, we will feel good simply by doing good. This is the type of attitude that brings happiness and breeds success. What we believe and think about ourselves, our staff and our patients will determine the kind of practice we create.

If you need a little "kick start," we suggest an excellent book that will break the Groundhog-Day cycle: Leadership and Self- Deception, by the Arbinger Institute.

Do not wake up tomorrow expecting something different unless you have made a change today - maybe right now!

Author Bios
Larry M. Chatterley and Randon Jensen are consultants with CTC Associates, a practice transition consulting firm. Visit their website at www.ctc-associates.com, or call 303- 795-8800 for more information
Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
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