Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald: Practice Makes Perfect--June 16, 2008

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The value of time

If you were asked what your most valuable possession was, what would you say? Your practice, your home, maybe your family? Your health would certainly have to be right up there. Perhaps your staff. I am going to suggest to you a very basic tenet. I think that our most valuable possession is time, because without it none of the other things are possible.

Look at your day. Are you using time wisely? Are you wasting the life's blood of your existence, the very currency of life? Are you efficient in time management? Are you a time miser? One of the biggest secrets in being efficient and saving time is by not rushing. Don't try and go faster. Pay attention and do things right the first time. I have a saying: “Do it right or do it twice.” Take your time in what you do. The second part of the secret is to eliminate things that you can't fully commit to. Do nothing half-way or half-assed. If you are going to be involved in something, make sure that you are involved. You may do fewer things on a daily basis but what you are committed to receives your undivided attention. I feel certain that you will see some tangible, positive results almost immediately by adopting this strategy.

Take the time to do it right. Whether you are working or having fun, commit. It seems paradoxical to slow things down a notch to accomplish more, but by giving things your undivided attention, you can be much more efficient. Be more time conscious, look at both how and why you are doing things the way that you are. There may be a better mousetrap.

Take your time. Be the ball. Remember, it is not the destination that is important but we must learn to enjoy the journey. Also, we can never forget to savor the fun, excitement, and the little blessings that come daily from a life in practice. Be able to recognize the little gifts, and do not underestimate the value of time.

See you next week, Kev