10 Problem Solving Principles for Dental Practice Success<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Problem](\"https:\/\/themcanallysellingsystem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/problem-solved-jeff-jarvis.jpg\" "\\"problem-solved-jeff-jarvis\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\u00a0My Top 10 Principles of Problem Solving <\/strong><\/p>\nProblem solving principles are not taught in dental school. Dental school teaches clinical problem solving but FAILS at teaching problem solving for running a professional service business. Today you\u2019ll get the distillation of years of trial and error about how I approach \u201cproblems\u201d and how it can impact your business and dental practice success.<\/p>\n
Most problems are actually hidden opportunities for growth especially as it relates to business.<\/p>\n
Problems are little more than opportunities to re-evaluate what I\u2019ve been doing, how I go about doing it, and with whom I am doing it.<\/p>\n
I also use \u201cproblems\u201d as part of a growth and guidance system. They are like bread crumbs that lead me into a bigger future. By the way, if you don\u2019t have a bigger future mind-set,that is something you and I should meet to fix as part of any training for you, team or one-on-one consulting. You can schedule a discussion here<\/a>.<\/p>\nMost of my best thinking, insights, next business moves, practice products, and\/or patient focused services have been a direct by products of what others might view as a \u201cproblem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Due to the nature of subject lines, most reading through this\u00a0 will be in the midst of a \u201cproblem\u201d or will be in the middle of one very soon. It\u2019s inevitable.<\/p>\n
And even though \u201cproblems\u201d come in all shapes and sizes, here\u2019s how I find the lesson, the message, the opportunity, and the good.<\/p>\n
THE FOLLOWING IS MY EXACT MODUS OPERANDI USING PROBLEM SOLVING PRINCIPLES:<\/p>\n
Problem Solving Key 1:<\/strong> Identify the facts<\/strong> and do everything possible to not to add any meaning or BIAS to them. This is super important!<\/p>\nProblem Solving Key 2:<\/strong> Since my time is valuable<\/strong>, if it makes sense to solve the problem by writing a check — i.e. pay someone else to solve the problem for me — then I will.<\/p>\nProblem Solving Key 3:<\/strong> I maintain a \u201cnext\u201d attitude<\/strong>. Let the local cat drink up any spilled milk. Move on and move on fast are better than agonizing and re-hashing something that is now unchangeable. If it happened in the past, it no longer exists. If it\u2019s over, get over it. Mental energy or time spent thinking about it or talking about it is a complete waste. I suck it up and move on.<\/p>\nProblem Solving Key 4:<\/strong> As Carl Misch<\/a> oft says, \u201cI ask myself questions.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cWhat can I add or eliminate that will virtually prevent this from happening again?\u201d FYI – This one question in clinical practice led to hundreds of hassle prevention documents and most recently a member\u2019s only solution that deals with big case fee\u2019s inside the insurance system. It also led to a simple administrative document that removes most of the risk from patient litigation related to any service. FYI2- Both of those things are provided in the #1 case acceptance training program which starts here. <\/a><\/p>\n Problem Solving Key 5:<\/strong> I get out of my normal environment<\/strong>. Sometimes this is a simple as leaving my office and house and going to one of the local beaches. At other times, it may mean simply grabbing a room a bit further away out of my normal environment. A day or two spent relaxing and allowing my mind to rest with a note pad and pen handy invariably leads to a new attitude, clarity, and usually THE solution. Most dentists have zero room left in their week to simply think. Major mistake that greatly hinders their ability to arrive at answers.<\/p>\nProblem Solving Key 6: <\/strong>I meditate daily<\/strong>. The clarity that often arises from this simple activity still shocks me.<\/p>\nProblem Solving Key 7:<\/strong> Be healthier.<\/strong> Occasionally I double my workouts from 1 to 2 in a day, further clean up my diet, sleep and\/or nap more\u2026 and spend as much time outdoors as I can.<\/p>\nProblem Solving Key 8:<\/strong> I keep focus on the moment (NOW)<\/strong>. I don\u2019t dwell on the past or futuristic \u201cwhat if\u2019s.\u201d While I know this may sound deep to most colleagues but the past and the future are mental constructs, focus your attention on what needs to happen right now and those constructs will take care of themselves.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\u00a0My Top 10 Principles of Problem Solving <\/strong><\/p>\n Problem solving principles are not taught in dental school. Dental school teaches clinical problem solving but FAILS at teaching problem solving for running a professional service business. Today you\u2019ll get the distillation of years of trial and error about how I approach \u201cproblems\u201d and how it can impact your business and dental practice success.<\/p>\n Most problems are actually hidden opportunities for growth especially as it relates to business.<\/p>\n Problems are little more than opportunities to re-evaluate what I\u2019ve been doing, how I go about doing it, and with whom I am doing it.<\/p>\n I also use \u201cproblems\u201d as part of a growth and guidance system. They are like bread crumbs that lead me into a bigger future. By the way, if you don\u2019t have a bigger future mind-set,that is something you and I should meet to fix as part of any training for you, team or one-on-one consulting. You can schedule a discussion here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Most of my best thinking, insights, next business moves, practice products, and\/or patient focused services have been a direct by products of what others might view as a \u201cproblem.\u201d<\/p>\n Due to the nature of subject lines, most reading through this\u00a0 will be in the midst of a \u201cproblem\u201d or will be in the middle of one very soon. It\u2019s inevitable.<\/p>\n And even though \u201cproblems\u201d come in all shapes and sizes, here\u2019s how I find the lesson, the message, the opportunity, and the good.<\/p>\n THE FOLLOWING IS MY EXACT MODUS OPERANDI USING PROBLEM SOLVING PRINCIPLES:<\/p>\n Problem Solving Key 1:<\/strong> Identify the facts<\/strong> and do everything possible to not to add any meaning or BIAS to them. This is super important!<\/p>\n Problem Solving Key 2:<\/strong> Since my time is valuable<\/strong>, if it makes sense to solve the problem by writing a check — i.e. pay someone else to solve the problem for me — then I will.<\/p>\n Problem Solving Key 3:<\/strong> I maintain a \u201cnext\u201d attitude<\/strong>. Let the local cat drink up any spilled milk. Move on and move on fast are better than agonizing and re-hashing something that is now unchangeable. If it happened in the past, it no longer exists. If it\u2019s over, get over it. Mental energy or time spent thinking about it or talking about it is a complete waste. I suck it up and move on.<\/p>\n Problem Solving Key 4:<\/strong> As Carl Misch<\/a> oft says, \u201cI ask myself questions.\u201d<\/strong> \u201cWhat can I add or eliminate that will virtually prevent this from happening again?\u201d FYI – This one question in clinical practice led to hundreds of hassle prevention documents and most recently a member\u2019s only solution that deals with big case fee\u2019s inside the insurance system. It also led to a simple administrative document that removes most of the risk from patient litigation related to any service. FYI2- Both of those things are provided in the #1 case acceptance training program which starts here. <\/a><\/p>\n Problem Solving Key 5:<\/strong> I get out of my normal environment<\/strong>. Sometimes this is a simple as leaving my office and house and going to one of the local beaches. At other times, it may mean simply grabbing a room a bit further away out of my normal environment. A day or two spent relaxing and allowing my mind to rest with a note pad and pen handy invariably leads to a new attitude, clarity, and usually THE solution. Most dentists have zero room left in their week to simply think. Major mistake that greatly hinders their ability to arrive at answers.<\/p>\n Problem Solving Key 6: <\/strong>I meditate daily<\/strong>. The clarity that often arises from this simple activity still shocks me.<\/p>\n Problem Solving Key 7:<\/strong> Be healthier.<\/strong> Occasionally I double my workouts from 1 to 2 in a day, further clean up my diet, sleep and\/or nap more\u2026 and spend as much time outdoors as I can.<\/p>\n Problem Solving Key 8:<\/strong> I keep focus on the moment (NOW)<\/strong>. I don\u2019t dwell on the past or futuristic \u201cwhat if\u2019s.\u201d While I know this may sound deep to most colleagues but the past and the future are mental constructs, focus your attention on what needs to happen right now and those constructs will take care of themselves.<\/p>\n