Build Your Private Practice – AACC Mega National Conference

Join us at the AACC 2020 Mega National Conference in Dallas Texas to learn more about how Genesis Assist can help you build your private practice.

With services like EHR & billing, Insurance Credentialing, and Consulting, Genesis Assist provides expert advice, tools, and community to help your private counseling practice succeed.

Learn more about AACC 2020 Mega National Conference. 

AACC 2019 World Conference

The World’s Premier Christian Counseling Event

Once again Genesis Assist is honored to be presenting at the world’s premier Christian counseling event, AACC 2019 World Conference.

With 25 Professional, Clinical, and Academic Tracks, along with Track Leaders and Coordinators, and Complete Pre-conference Workshop Schedule this event is one to not miss.

Join Genesis Assist’s Co- Founders, Steve and Dr. Tina Greer, as they share experienced and knowledgable insights on Private Practice 4.0 and Success in the Digital Age.

THURSDAY, 8:45 AM | learn more & register >>

Visit us at our booth! #318

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE | Learn more >>

How Did Your First Quarter Go?

Building a private practice can sometimes seem like a steep dusty path that looks uphill in both directions. If you are just starting your practice you probably have a long list of things to do and many choices to make which can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time.

As we celebrate spring and wrap-up the first quarter of 2015, I encourage you to take a break for a few moments on your path. Here are a few questions to help you evaluate the where you have traveled and anticipate what lies ahead:

• What did you learn about yourself and your practice over the first 3 months of the year?
• Are you on track to meet your goals? If not, what change would help you get back on track?
• Which actions have been the most helpful? How can you leverage them further?
• Which plans have not worked out the way you wanted? How can you stop, re-start or change them?
• As you look at the path ahead, what are the few actions that will help you the most in reaching your goals?
• How aligned is your work with your core values?

I’m convinced that your practice (and your life for that matter) will significantly improve if you make a habit of periodically stopping to check out the view. If we are not careful, we will allow our practice to consume our lives. Consider asking a coach to help in this evaluation process.  Coaching helps you dig deeper and maximize the learning.  Besides that, we all need an outside perspective every now and then.

Hoping your next quarter will be the best yet!

Steve

Leadership: Dream, Vision, Mission, and Goals

Successful leaders and organizations have dreams that are supported by their vision, mission, goals, and core values. Dreams can give birth to a leader’s vision and must never be too small!

Lita Bane has exclaimed:

“Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir men’s blood and will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble and logical plan never dies, but long after we are gone will be a living thing (LEAD 620, n.d.).”

I like this quote because too often our plans are too small, if even made at all. Leaders must dare to dream large! At the same time, a dream is not to be some whimsical and illogical hope, but rather a well-intentioned and thought out plan that reaches far and wide. Powerful dreaming consists of mental awareness, logical thought, effective planning, and fearless courage.  

Once a leader dreams big, he or she must plan for action and follow through with the vision for legacy. Joel Barker has stated, “Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with vision is making a positive difference” (LEAD 620, n.d.). Without taking action on a dream, there is no vision, without vision an organization will not make a positive and lasting difference (Prov. 29:18, KJV).

The importance of the leader’s role cannot be overemphasized. While there is great value in teamwork, success of an organization can hinge on an effective leader. Effective leaders define the vision, clarify the vision, and inspire others to fulfill it (Robin, 2014).

Vision asks the ‘What’ question, specifically, “What do we want to become?” An effective vision defines the desired outcome of the organization and brings clarity to where the organization wants to go in the future (Robin, 2014). It is imperative that the leader write out a clear and succinct vision statement so that it may be well understood by those within the organization and by shareholders (Robin, 2014). Vision, along with the mission, is the perpetual driving force behind an organization and their daily decisions. It is noteworthy; the vision statement is the first step of strategic planning and therefore, precedes the mission statement (David, 2011).

A company’s mission answers the ‘Why’ question and reveals the purpose behind the work being accomplished. The mission will uncover an organization’s “purpose, motives, and intentions” (Robin, 2014, p. 2). A solid mission will unite and inspire an organization to feel like they are making a true impact. Employees working under a mission that they believe in will feel a greater sense of satisfaction in their work. I have been thankful to be part of thriving organizations that have had high morale and low turnover while promoting the mission in order to accomplish the vision. An organization’s mission also inspires people within and works outward as quality work reaches consumers (Robin, 2014). Importantly, strategic goals are developed in order to support and accomplish the mission of an organization.  

Core values, principles, and beliefs are also key ingredients, which make up the philosophical underpinnings of an organization. Values are reflected in words like teamwork or excellence; principles are operational guides; and beliefs are pre-suppositions and assumptions to what the organization determines as true (Robin, 2014). It is also important for leaders within successful organizations to clarify expectations, roles, and strategic goals for the company and for each position (Robin, 2014).    

In closing, leaders play a critical role in steering an organization to success by taking action on their dreams while carrying out a clear vision. Concise and clarified vision and mission statements are needed for organizational buy-in and optimum success. By setting clear vision, mission, goals, values, principles, beliefs, and expectations, leaders can understand where the organization is going, have a laser-focus to get there, and ultimately, help the organization arrive at their destination.

References:

David, F. R. (2011). Strategic management: Concepts and cases. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Robin, D. (2014). Vision, mission and values. Retrieved from http://www.abetterworkplace.com/developing-the-organization-and-the-people-in-it/

LEAD 620. (n.d.). Lecture notes: Vision quotes. Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University. Retrieved from http://learn.liberty.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_57401_1%26url%3D#global-nav-flyout

Author:

Cameron Ashworth, M.S.

Director of Operations, Genesis Counseling Center