MarieAnn North, MBA, FACMPE
Director, Navigant Consulting, Inc.
As I wrap Christmas gifts for my friends, it occurs to me how difficult I am to shop for. My house rule is “if it needs to be dusted, don’t bring it home”. I don’t collect anything, am not the least bit sentimental, and empty the trunk of my car at various charities on a regular basis. So it’s out of character that I own a little Hallmark plaque that I’ve kept since 1987. It’s very scratched up. It’s made several cross country moves, and still sits on my desk. The plaque reads:
EXCELLENCE can be attained if you...
CARE more than others think is wise
RISK more than others think is safe
DREAM more than others think is practical
EXPECT more than others think is possible
Twenty years later, these sentiments are as timely as when I first read them, and may in fact be one of the best pieces of career advice I’ve ever come across. So I pass these wishes along to you as well this holiday season.
I hope you CARE deeply about the impact you have in the lives of your patients and coworkers. I hope you still take RISKS with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure. I hope you still DREAM and bring creative and untried solutions to the problems in your workplace. I hope you have high EXPECTATIONS of yourself and of those around you and discover that your team surpasses your expectations. I hope you experience the joy of having achieved EXCELLENCE and in creating a culture (and an organization) where others may also excel.
