Step by Step Implementation Game Plan
One of the biggest issues in private practice done right, is developing a step-by-step game plan of what to do, and exactly when. The reality is successful private practice is formulaic, and with a little effort, you too can develop or revamp your own Step By Step Implementation Game Plan.
Let’s’ review this one point at a time…
1. The very first thing is to outline in writing exactly what it is you want to accomplish and produce. Yes, that’s right, your goals and targets. The more precise you can be, the better the results. Doctor, do not overlook this vital step. In DPC or any private practice, you are the CEO, CFO, Marketing Manager, and most often the Team Captain. If your behavior is not congruent with these roles, success will always elude you in private practice. This is a very powerful lesson that way too many ignore. You can be the best clinician ever, but private practice success and fulfillment require much more. Always remember though, your rewards are so much greater when you function at this highest level. When you have a high six to seven figures a year practice, then you can delegate some of the day-to day management, but as long as you own the practice, never abdicate its direction and financial oversight!!!
Too many make this first and vital implementation step way too stressful. Make it easy, by just using a pencil and a pocket size notebook app. It also may really help to just work in 90-day segments. Just mark your calendar to redo this exercise every 90 days. It also really helps if you write your primary goals every day if you want to accomplish way more than the average physician. Anything you can do to make this more visual, like photos and diagrams can easily add a powerful emotional “hook”, and help you accomplish more in far less time.
2. Get in the habit of operating only off a DAILY checklist!
Again keep it easy, low stress. I still like white legal pads and multicolor pens for daily use. Typically you can make a list no later than Sunday Night for the week ahead. Next, color prioritize each of these items. Black is done, red is critical, green is underway, and blue is re-routed. Finally, cross off what’s been completed. Looking at your list with all items crossed off then allows you to move onto the next phase.
Just make sure, that your checklists include the three core components of the practice. This would include:
• Production- exactly what’s happening this week to grow production? Here, you should list out Marketing Events, patient workshops, radio show, fitness screening, etc.
• Collections- analysis of your income and expenses, and especially the trends of these two key areas to financial independence. Pick the same day and time each week to review these.
• Staffing- What’s going on with your team? Are there pending vacations, missed steps in critical procedures? A compliment to be awarded or violations of policy?
Next, you must note the appropriate action step on your DAILY checklist for all of these key areas.
3. Develop and operate only off a 90 day Master Implementation Plan. Make sure your entire team knows it, and helps hold you accountable.
One of the great simplifiers of implementation is to not project beyond 90 days, unless you are very proficient at all the above steps. For most of us, this is the precise interval to observe progress, trends and make corrections to what’s not working.
The Master Plan is the poster of every area of practice that is multifaceted. A great example is marketing. Let’s say you want to start a monthly newsletter for patients. You would first list “Monthly News” with a deadline or start date on your master plan, but your daily checklist might list, “select theme, call mailing house, fix event calendar” etc.
And that’s it! You can keep it this simple. Sure, there are many other things (advanced executive skills) you could add, but I suggest holding off until you get effective at actually implementing all the key steps to practice growth and personal freedom.
When you are ready to really take this to the next level, consider hiring a coach. Personalized analysis of your situation, with someone who has done it all before can pay enormous dividends. Most coaches will gladly give you a written, personalized implementation plan as well.
But recognize doctor, failure to have these basics in place first is a recipe for disaster. Don’t let this be you!
Take these very simple steps today! Your only supplies needs are a notebook, pencil, a pack of white legal pads, a multicolor pen, a poster board and a calendar.
The more consistent and disciplined you can operate in this way, the more successful and creative, and ultimately financially independent you must become.
