I understand that our doctors are incredibly busy and sometimes all you want to do at the end of the day is turn off your brain and not think about your practice. Being told to read more on top of all your other commitments may be the last thing you want to hear, but I wouldn’t tell you to do something I don’t completely believe in. I know firsthand the power that reading has to expand your mind and transform your business. I want to take the opportunity to highlight some of the books that have stood out to me over the years. Each of them invites you to reflect on a different part of your mindset, leadership, or business strategy and provides insight on what you might need to learn to achieve your goals.
”THE POWER OF HABIT” BY CHARLES DUHIGG
This first book, we initially passed out during a meeting over ten years ago. I keep revisiting it, because I believe what it has to say is still relevant. This book focuses on organizational habits. I think everyone should read it at least once, regardless of their profession. Something I recommend considering while reading this book is, personal habits that are applied at the organizational level are called systems. This information is relevant to every level of your practice.
“ATOMIC HABITS” BY JAMES CLEAR
This next book has a big reputation that precedes it without my recommendation, but this list wouldn’t be complete without “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. My biggest takeaway from the book can be summed up by one of my favorite passages. Clear states, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” This quote successfully summarizes the core message of the book itself and also reflects the fundamental values we hold in Paragon.
“HARD TO BREAK: WHY OUR BRAINS MAKE HABITS STICK” BY RUSSELL A. POLDRACK
This book provides a very comprehensive and scientific perspective on why habits are so hard to break. As a business consultant, you would not believe how much of my job involves working with clients to review practice habits and systems. This book provides a lot of insight as to why our brains hardwired to make these changes hard while also giving realistic suggestions as to how.
“YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK” BY DAVID A. STOOP
The tagline to this book, “using positive self-talk to change your life” really sums up what it’s about. When we’re children we don’t have the ability to understand the difference between subjective and objective. For some of us something cruel or untrue that you were told about as a child was taken as a fact and became a part of your identity, consciously or subconsciously, as you grew into an adult. Your mindset literally makes the difference between success and stagnation. So when you find yourself getting tripped up, often change will require you to drill down deep to address the thinking errors holding you back. This great book teaches you how to address beliefs that don’t serve you and establish ones that set you up for success.
“DON’T GIVE THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE: IT’S TIME TO WIN THE BATTLE OF YOUR MIND…” BY LOUIE GIGLIO
This book on “how to win the battle of your mind” essentially is talking about how you must decide how you want things to be. In the hallway of my home, I keep a goal board for the family. I also keep a personal goal board at my home in my study. I pin up anything that I want in life. It stays up as long it takes to get it. This book speaks to developing a certainty in your inevitable success that allows us to dare greatly and subsequently achieve greatly
The things I’ve learned over the years from these books and countless others have legitimately led to some of my greatest successes. We’re awfully lucky to live in a world where access to that kind of information can be instantly downloaded to your iPad at the click of a button, or even read aloud to you as an audiobook while you commute or work out. If you read or listen to just two books a month, you’ll be in the 88th percentile for the number of books read by Americans each year. If you pick up no other habits during your time with Paragon, you may want to consider taking the time to read more and watch how much it can do for you and your practice.
Go for it!
Ken Runkle
Founder & President