There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.
"That's some catch, that catch-22," he observed.
"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.
"That's some catch, that catch-22," he observed.
"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.
As I start writing today, I'm not even sure if "Catch 22" makes sense to what I feel. But it is where my mind initially started to go, and I've learned to not fight what I think. Or feel. And I feel I've created my own version of a Catch 22.
I've spent the past 16 months working to create a business that I can be proud of. And for the most part, I am. Really proud. But some how in creating this business, I've realized I've created a really simple business. We aren't required to be anything other than really great massage therapists and competent front desk employees. My ability to market and bring in people goes mostly unseen, acknowledged or appreciated by the therapists, and for the most part I don't mind b/c I'm a numbers person and the numbers have been praising me for some time.
So the goal of 16 months ago has been met in that regards. However, I've created this situation where since it is such a simple job, the therapists treat it as such. Simplicity breeds simplicity. So although my business mind sets the expectation that everyone reacts and responds as if we were a team of surgeons, in reality we don't come even close. The basic functions of the job get overlooked. This is devastating to my need for order, drive for being the best and its a real kick to my ego.
I can't help but think about how just down the roads we have two university hospitals where night and day life and death procedures are taking place. As we speak a team is meeting to assess a need, a chef is preparing hundreds of meals, an IT tech is making sure the network is up, administrators are making sure bills are paid, payroll gets out, parking attendants are checking in and out 100s of cars. The systems in place to make St. Joes and UofM run are incredible. I have such a love for systems, such a respect for them, and such a need for them. Yet I've created a business that require very little of them, the ones we have are quite basic and I can't figure out how to get my team to use them.
The tracking of basic issues, addressing them and suggesting needed changes haven't always resulted in the common sense fixes that are ever present in my head. I'm overwhelmed with the sense that I've created a successful business; but by not challenging myself to create a 'different' or 'harder' business model, I'm forever going to be a 'business' mind stuck in a 'feeling' field.
Numbers don't feel & they don't lie.
What I can't get everyone to realize is the importance of the little things. The simple clicking on a button to verify appointment length, or not yelling "Hi" to their client as they enter the building, or asking nicely for a loud client to quiet down a bit b/c there are other people in session, or that 60 minutes means 60 minutes. It doesn't mean 65, 70 or 75.
I know I'm not going to be able to fight the diva mentality that exists with the profession. Our therapists do kick ass and what they during the sessions is amazing. Its an honor to own a business where we are helping everyone that comes through our door. So they should be proud of their talents, I reward confidence. Confidence brings people back, brings new people in. Confidence makes my numbers tell me good truths.
But...what if this is as good as I'm ever going to be? What if trying to get a bunch of therapists to think about the job outside of the 60 minute massage is my lot in life?
My potential is so upset at me. And lets be honest, we aren't successful in my eyes until we do the things right on a daily and consistent level. Most importantly, however, is the need for growth. The need to learn - all of us. There isn't a thing wrong with making a mistake. Not one thing. The problem comes when that mistake is not corrected. The issue becomes the mistake becoming a habit, the mistake becoming an excuse, and the mistake costing me the ability to have the successful business I know we are capable of.
I guess this comes down to me continuing to learn how to better manage. I admit I've got lots to learn still.
I'm just worried though. What if my catch is that by creating a simple business model, I've created the sustainable, profitable business that doesn't operate on the structure or systems I need in order to feel successful?
That's some catch.
I've spent the past 16 months working to create a business that I can be proud of. And for the most part, I am. Really proud. But some how in creating this business, I've realized I've created a really simple business. We aren't required to be anything other than really great massage therapists and competent front desk employees. My ability to market and bring in people goes mostly unseen, acknowledged or appreciated by the therapists, and for the most part I don't mind b/c I'm a numbers person and the numbers have been praising me for some time.
So the goal of 16 months ago has been met in that regards. However, I've created this situation where since it is such a simple job, the therapists treat it as such. Simplicity breeds simplicity. So although my business mind sets the expectation that everyone reacts and responds as if we were a team of surgeons, in reality we don't come even close. The basic functions of the job get overlooked. This is devastating to my need for order, drive for being the best and its a real kick to my ego.
I can't help but think about how just down the roads we have two university hospitals where night and day life and death procedures are taking place. As we speak a team is meeting to assess a need, a chef is preparing hundreds of meals, an IT tech is making sure the network is up, administrators are making sure bills are paid, payroll gets out, parking attendants are checking in and out 100s of cars. The systems in place to make St. Joes and UofM run are incredible. I have such a love for systems, such a respect for them, and such a need for them. Yet I've created a business that require very little of them, the ones we have are quite basic and I can't figure out how to get my team to use them.
The tracking of basic issues, addressing them and suggesting needed changes haven't always resulted in the common sense fixes that are ever present in my head. I'm overwhelmed with the sense that I've created a successful business; but by not challenging myself to create a 'different' or 'harder' business model, I'm forever going to be a 'business' mind stuck in a 'feeling' field.
Numbers don't feel & they don't lie.
What I can't get everyone to realize is the importance of the little things. The simple clicking on a button to verify appointment length, or not yelling "Hi" to their client as they enter the building, or asking nicely for a loud client to quiet down a bit b/c there are other people in session, or that 60 minutes means 60 minutes. It doesn't mean 65, 70 or 75.
I know I'm not going to be able to fight the diva mentality that exists with the profession. Our therapists do kick ass and what they during the sessions is amazing. Its an honor to own a business where we are helping everyone that comes through our door. So they should be proud of their talents, I reward confidence. Confidence brings people back, brings new people in. Confidence makes my numbers tell me good truths.
But...what if this is as good as I'm ever going to be? What if trying to get a bunch of therapists to think about the job outside of the 60 minute massage is my lot in life?
My potential is so upset at me. And lets be honest, we aren't successful in my eyes until we do the things right on a daily and consistent level. Most importantly, however, is the need for growth. The need to learn - all of us. There isn't a thing wrong with making a mistake. Not one thing. The problem comes when that mistake is not corrected. The issue becomes the mistake becoming a habit, the mistake becoming an excuse, and the mistake costing me the ability to have the successful business I know we are capable of.
I guess this comes down to me continuing to learn how to better manage. I admit I've got lots to learn still.
I'm just worried though. What if my catch is that by creating a simple business model, I've created the sustainable, profitable business that doesn't operate on the structure or systems I need in order to feel successful?
That's some catch.
1 comments:
If you are itching for more order and more challenges, maybe those can be put into Politico? :)
You are awesome and I'm so proud of how well you guys have done with this new business. I know you're going to continue to kick ass.
Post a Comment