We are now more than halfway through the fiscal year, and I’m happy to say Texas Tech Physicians is having a good year. In many ways, it’s even a great year, but there are still day-to-day challenges. We have some key people we depend on who are facing serious health episodes and are away from work. We are seeing patients’ financial liability increase with higher deductibles requiring them to pay more. Of course, it is always a challenge to make every patient’s experience with us positive. We are even challenged with our new phone system!

Challenges are part of life, and there is no getting around that reality. American psychiatrist and best-selling author M. Scott Peck, M.D., so clearly articulates this truth in his book, “The Road Less Traveled.” Peck says, “Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult- once we truly understand and accept it- then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”

This is not a pessimistic or fatalistic thought. It is a realistic thought, and it helps one deal with reality and challenges. Armed with that authority, we develop self-confidence and a belief that we can handle what life throws at us. Furthermore, we are not surprised when things don’t go perfectly.

Here are the things that I have learned in nearly forty years (That really makes me sound old.) of management:

• Always tell the truth. It is very liberating, and you don’t need such a great memory. We hear the term, “keep it real.” We increase our authenticity by letting people see us as we are and being honest.

• Own up to mistakes. Francis Bacon said, “Truth will sooner come out of error than from confusion.” Making a mistake often brings insight for solving the problem, and taking responsibility for the mistake bypasses added confusion. How can we grow if we don’t admit our mistakes and take ownership?

• Ask for feedback. Remember the late New York City Mayor Ed Koch? He famously asked everyone he met, “How am I doing?” We build our reputation, in part, by consistently asking for feedback. It is one of the keys to growth.

Make it a good week!