Mediocre or More

"Sometimes I worry about being a success in a mediocre world." - Lily Tomlin


There's an interesting contrast in the fitness and rehabilitation industry. Ask professionals from these market sectors how they would rank themselves against their peers and you will find that about 90% of them rank themselves in the top 10% of providers. Of course this means that respondents are kidding themselves and thus failing to see opportunities for self improvement. Usually along with the ranking are some sort of comments about how what they do is "special" and that they have a "special" relationship with their clients/patients. ...There is also a common reference as to how patients/clients often bring baked goods or special treats. Curious.


In contrast, its also interesting to observe how frequently business performance is benchmarked against the average for the industry as if that were good enough for a high performing professional committed to excellence and continuous improvement. Who cares about average? Why wouldn't every professional aspire to performing in the top 10% from a business perspective. Doing so provides greater reward, recognition, competitive advantage, service capacity, and influence for the good of the community served. Let's face it, most providers don't know what top 10% even is. Honestly, most providers don't know what their profitability is. I know because I ask them.


While the contrast is interesting to note, both deny reality. All professionals are exellent in some areas and not in others. There are dozens of potential points of comparison. In business performance benchmarks alone, I look at over 3 dozen points of comparison. Opportunity and reward may be found in those areas that one is less than excellent. Opportunity may also be exploited in those areas in which one is excellent. What is important is understanding how one actually is performering in multiple dimensions.


Of course there is no shame in not knowing. On the other hand there is no professional rationale or justification for not wanting to know and not taking efforts to find out. In doing so one steps onto the path to top performance.


Are you ready to claim the promise and potential that is within you? Are you ready to claim the leadership role and reward you deserve?


Bob


(c) copyright 2009
Performance Builders