Medical practice is a business. Like any other business, a medical practice has 4 stages in its life cycle. Stage 1 is the embryonic stage. Like a developing embryo, the new business must develop the basic necessities of life, such as an office, a phone system, a computer system, etc. And like the wonder we feel towards our newborn infant, when we look at our new business, we feel awe and amazement over all that we've accomplished just so that we can open our doors on day 1.
Ultimately, the business will either die in the embryonic phase or will proceed to the next phase, the growth phase. The growth phase is like childhood. It starts out all fun and wonder, but becomes more challenging and stressful as maturity hits. The growth phase will morph imperceptibly into the next and longest phase of the life-cycle, the mature phase. It is during this cycle that the business continues to grow, but it grows at a more predictable level. Cash flow is somewhat stable and daily operations sort of take care of themselves but the stability is often interrupted by head-aches and fires that seem to sprout up out of nowhere. Finally, like life itself, all businesses ultimately die. Businesses end either in bankruptcy, or they get bought out, or they simply disband.
During each of these stages, you'll have outside forces that will push or pull your practice in one direction or another. The chance to make some "quick bucks" with some new equipment, the possibility of hiring a new associate, or perhaps the opportunity for a strategic merger with another group; these, and many more possibilities will avail themselves to you during your career. Since you will not have a crystal ball and will not truly know what to do when faced with these uncertainties, you will need something that can guide you in the right direction. And the only place that you can turn for guidance will be your long range plan.
The long range plan is your vision. It is where you see yourself in 10 years. It is your ultimate dream; the business or practice that you would want if nothing could ever get in your way. Your 10 year vision, or 20 year vision for that matter, is never too large or too ambitious. Nor should it be something that can be reached to soon, for then it would not be big enough.
Recently I have felt a strong pull towards a large group that has formed in my area. The temptation to reach out to them has been great. From all that I've heard, this group will achieve tremendous success and financial glory. They'll have their hands into everything and generate revenue hand over fist. Urologists around me are falling like dominoes and have been lining up—and paying handsomely—just to join. Should I try to get in as well.
My answer: no. To join that group right now would be incompatible with the long range vision that I formed for myself many years ago.
For now, I stay solo and grow on my own terms.
David vs Goliath.
Wish me luck.
The IU.
