Reflection & Introspection
Reflection and introspection are closely related processes. Both require a willingness to be vulnerable, with the ultimate goal of becoming the best version of yourself, which in turn makes you better for those around you. This exercise can be uncomfortable at times, but it can also be incredibly enlightening. Whether done privately or with the guidance of a therapist, I’ve personally used and continue to use both methods.
Red Lobster and Swiss Chalet were our go-to restaurants for Sunday night dinners when I was growing up. It was typically just my parents, my two brothers, and me, though sometimes one or both sets of grandparents would join. Dinner was early, usually by 5:30 at the latest. We rarely ordered appetizers, except for the half Onion Loaf at Swiss Chalet, which we all shared. Desserts were also off the table, unless it was a birthday dinner when we’d splurge on fried ice cream at Chi-Chi’s. This was during the 1970s recession in South Florida.
Interestingly, Red Lobster recently hired a new CEO, in hopes of regaining a competitive edge for the struggling brand. Back in the day, my go-to meal at Red Lobster was fried flounder, hush puppies, french fries, and coleslaw with a Sprite — all for the kingly sum of $2.69.
One of the benefits of aging is gaining perspective, alongside reflection. While some memories have become a bit cloudy, others remain crystal clear. Now, in my 57th year, I am approaching my 26th anniversary of practice this October. I often reflect on the decisions made along the way, aiming to not regret how things unfolded. I approach life with a business mindset, believing that things happened exactly as they were meant to. Only through reflection can I assess if I might have done anything differently.
When I began my practice in 1998, the internet was still in its infancy, and access through smartphones didn’t come until 2001. I hung my shingle, placed an ad in the Smart Shopper magazine, and got to work marketing to my community. Before choosing my practice location, I visited the public library to research demographics — looking for cities with high populations and fewer chiropractors. Pembroke Pines, Florida, stood out as the best place to start my journey.
Fast-forward to 2021, when Fed-Hurt began its nationwide expansion. I applied a similar strategy for selecting cities where we contracted Physical Therapy practices to partner with us in caring for Federal employees. There’s a great deal of work involved in selecting locations, reaching out to providers, navigating the contract process, and eventually marketing those areas. Some locations have been very successful in forming strong relationships, while others have underperformed — this is the part of reflection that stings.
My hope is that each location will provide Federal employees with access to care when they’re injured, while ensuring that providers benefit from the increased revenue we discussed during the contracting process. When this doesn’t happen, I feel both disappointed and embarrassed that, in some cases, my promises have fallen short.
As we enter Q4, my main focus will be to review all underperforming markets in our network. Since August 5th, we’ve ramped up our social media efforts and audited our SEO rankings, which have helped us gain visibility in cities where we previously had little presence. To be transparent, the Federal space is challenging to penetrate due to the strict rules of engagement when contacting Federal employees. Unlike with the public, there are stringent regulations regarding email marketing and direct outreach to government employees.
Nevertheless, my commitment to both Federal employees and the providers in our network remains strong. Moving forward, I will focus on working smarter to uphold my promises to both groups. I’m optimistic about our continued success and the collective effort toward this meaningful mission. We take care of the people who take care of us.
Have a great week.
