{"id":7137,"date":"2020-02-01T00:00:46","date_gmt":"2020-02-01T08:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=7137"},"modified":"2022-06-15T17:45:17","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T17:45:17","slug":"purpose-statements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/purpose-statements\/","title":{"rendered":"#YouDoYou"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the term \u201cinnovation\u201d is one of the most overused words in the English language, in its purest form it is simply the introduction of something new.\u00a0Business model innovation can have a stronger impact on profit margins than service or product innovations, it can disrupt established norms, and it can lead to vibrant cultures that attract top talent.\u00a0In the context of personal innovation, it means being ever-evolving with the mindset of bringing our best selves to everything we do.<\/p>\n

Mirroring business model innovation, these five building blocks of personal innovation merit\u00a0consideration:<\/p>\n

1. Know Your Purpose and Focus<\/h3>\n

Most organizations and associations have a documented purpose. They might confuse their mission or vision with purpose, but in the general sense they know which direction they want to head and why. Have you ever made the time to think about and create your own personal purpose statement?\u00a0Our personal purpose statement should be short and sweet as well as action-oriented, and it likely will evolve over time. It\u2019s fluid because life is fluid \u2014 as our environment, perspectives and context evolve, so will our purpose.<\/p>\n

A personal purpose statement should answer this question: \u201cWhy do I get up in the morning, and how do I want to be remembered?\u201d Start with a few key words and morph them into one or two sentences that ring true to you.\u00a0If you already have a written purpose statement, well done! Now might be a good time to review and ensure your purpose statement is still valid and that your daily actions and activities are in alignment with your purpose.<\/p>\n

Another tool to help focus on what matters most is a \u201cstart, stop, continue\/change\u201d exercise. Many businesses use this exercise to gain insight from employees and customers. You can apply the same model by asking yourself which activities should start, stop or continue, based on alignment with your personal purpose.<\/p>\n

Knowing our purpose makes prioritization and knowing what to say \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d to much easier. As the saying goes, if we\u2019re saying \u201cyes\u201d to everything, we\u2019re saying \u201cno\u201d to something.<\/p>\n

2. Leverage Uniqueness<\/h3>\n

We all have characteristics that make us unique. Consider your unique attributes and then leverage them to create value for those you serve. An excellent example of a veterinary professional who leverages her uniqueness to create value is Dr. Stephanie Jones, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, practitioner with a passion for helping kids. She founded Pets Help the Heart Heal, a nonprofit association whose mission is to improve the physical, social and emotional health of children through the human-animal bond.<\/p>\n

3. Fail Fast, Fail Forward<\/h3>\n

The most successful innovators take calculated risks<\/a>. They do their homework before they jump, and when they do jump, they are all in. They know that a series of failures might be necessary before they land on a successful idea. They do not let those failures deter them; rather, they use the learnings to fuel the next round. Taking risks is also about being open to new ideas, new approaches and new ways of thinking. Fail fast, fail often, fail forward and keep going.<\/p>\n

4. Collaborate Diversely<\/h3>\n

You likely already recognize the benefits of being part of a network or community, and you know the power of collaboration.\u00a0Check out the people around you. Do they look, act, talk and think like you? If so, now is the time to branch out. As Scott E. Page says in \u201cThe Diversity Bonus,\u201d one plus one can equal three if the two ones are different.<\/p>\n

5. Embrace Lifelong Learning<\/h3>\n

If you are reading this article, you are probably in the animal health space. If so, how do you fuel your intellect outside of veterinary medicine? Podcasts, art museums, book clubs \u2014 these are just a few ways we can be more expansive in our learning. In doing so, we might very well spark creative juices that in turn fuel new ideas that positively impact our work.<\/p>\n

What Might Stop You<\/span><\/h3>\n

Now that you know the five building blocks of personal innovation, let\u2019s explore six common barriers to personal innovation:<\/p>\n