"Who&ldots;..or What&ldots;.Inspires you?" Bruce BeekleyHave you ever asked yourself, or been asked by someone else to assess your drive, your inspiration, and your internal motivation. "What excites you? Are you fulfilled with work, family and friends?" I seem to have been asking this of myself a lot lately, and I am hard pressed to come up with THE answer. Obviously, there are many potential sources. Here are two that come to mind. I hope they will inspire you to become more content and more satisfied with your position and direction.
The first and foremost source of inspiration and motivation is you. This may seem obvious but I wonder if we take the time to fully assess our own likes and dislikes, needs and desires. We should constantly do inventory so as to confirm that we are truly happy and content with our lives and what we are doing. None of us would be where we are now if it had not been for determination to study hard, to deal with the trials and tribulations of PT or PTA school and to persevere in this current, evolving, sometimes seemingly unfair business we call health care. There is a saying that goes, "At the end of the day, the only person you need to answer to is the person in the mirror". Self-accountability and doing the right thing have their rewards. We are all potential leaders and leadership by example is essential. We must continue to empower ourselves and others to stress continuous improvement in all aspects of our lives. Little things completed will lead to BIG successes. So, do you inspire yourself? Do you work "extra hard" when you need to as though it is the norm? Do you prepare for work each day? Do you show flexibility and empathy for your patients and coworkers? Are you effective and efficient with your treatment plans? Is your documentation acceptable, legible and complete? When was the last time you took a professional development class to improve your techniques or communication style? Have you set personal goals in work and in life? Are you the best employee, the best friend, the best spouse, the best PT or PTA that you can be? Yes to all or most of these questions probably means you are pretty happy with the person you see in the mirror.
Many people appear to be motivated by those around them. The inspiration to be committed to a common goal and to for improvement often comes as a result of healthy "competition". This may better be described as "a cooperation in commitment" to be the best or one of the best in the group. Professional and personal respect for a relative, peer, spouse or employer often will cause an inner drive to grow and to never be satisfied with the current status quo. Is there someone at work that encourages, challenges, facilitates you to work harder and better? Who at work or home can you call on to promote success and empowerment? Maybe this person is not at work or home but on the team you play with on the weekends. Maybe they are part of the committee or group your volunteer with. They are out there. Have you identified them? Do they know you are motivated by and through them? Would you recognize them? Maybe YOU are a person who motivates others through mentorships, leadership, clinical instruction, or supervision. Helping others stay motivated and inspired will help you stay motivated and inspired.
Most of us like to be recognized for a job well done, whether it is via personal self gratification, group or community recognition or financial compensation. Whatever the reward, hopefully it will inspire you to continue to be the best, as well as possibly inspire others to strive to be committing to improving.
By Bruce E. Beekley, PT, MS
April 2001Wow! Does it seem that things have changed in the past 6-12 months or is it just my imagination? Not too long ago the word was that PTs and PTAs were in over supply and people were feeling as though they would lose their jobs. Therapists were being asked to take time off because the load was down. Now it seems that we are as busy as ever, if not more so. Therapists are working hard, interviewing and moving up, and are in demand. Why do you think this is?
Nobody could come up with THE one answer, but I bet you know that I will try to give a few good reasons. The first and most important is that possibly the medical community, the public and the payers are increasingly realizing the importance of physical therapy and the role it plays in the care, wellness and health promotion of the lives of the people we are trying to serve. Another is thought that we as therapists and physical therapist assistants are becoming better and better at what we do and thus the quality and satisfaction for the product and service is higher. Within this concept is the feeling and the “pride” (as David Hayes, PT, CCAPTA president has pressed) that is growing and being expressed through the outstanding work we do.
A “Pie in the sky” attitude I always seem to have, so I must remind myself that probably the main reason there is so much more business is that concept called money. As you know this is what drives all business. Insurance changes, yes, but maybe we as a profession are becoming the referral of choice because of the cost/benefit/outcome ratio. It is “cheaper” (whoops, more efficient cost-wise) to send a patient to physical therapy than to someone else.
Any way you look at it, we are busy and we are in demand. We need to keep it this way and never turn back. We cannot assume that we will get referrals. We must command the patients’ and referral sources’ commitment to us by doing what we do best: providing caring, efficient and quality therapy.
I am proud to be a physical therapist. I am equally proud to be a physical therapist member of the American Physical Therapy Association. I am especially proud and lucky to be an employee of my company, BAK. This profession is truly rewarding and satisfying, as is my work done as a therapist for BAK. I take great strides in trying to do and be the best that I can be, and part of this is being a member of the APTA. I see membership NOT as an option but as an obligation to myself, my colleagues and those that I treat and interact with.
You are what you do, and you do what you think. Think about “it”. The great sense of fulfillment and gratitude each of your patients can have each time you help them. Feel the satisfaction of accomplishment through your interactions and leadership. Keep on doing the great work that you are doing and strive to be the best that you can be.
The "Grand PT (or PTA)" as I see itBy Bruce E. Beekley, PT, MS
How we think is how we act and I know I think WAAAAY too much but I cannot help it. We all must think in the future and the idealistic tense and strive for the ultimate, whether it is in your personal or professional life.
Forget "average", forget "getting by", and instead think "GRAND"
Who is the truly GRAND PHYSICAL THERAPIST (or PTA)?
The Grand PT is one who:
Realizes the BIG picture and attempts to work with and among those in the area of health care, wellness and prevention (especially the referring physician).
- Considers themselves a professional by actively seeking continuing education and is active in their professional association.
- Appreciates the role of legislation that dictates the state practice act and allows each and every PT, PTA to practice physical therapy in the state of California.
- Willingly gives to the PT Fund, PT Foundation and the PAC in order to help secure the destiny and future of the profession and thus their own livelihood.
- Recognizes that PT is not an "8-5" job and dedicates themselves to the pursuit of efficient and effective therapy by knowing the patient’s problems, goals and expectations.
- Accepts the ultimate responsibility as the specialist in the movement dysfunction arena and is accountable to this responsibility yet recognizes their limitations and refers to others when their experience or expertise is not adequate.
A Grand PT is proud to be one. They engage each patient, referral source and payer professionally and with respect.
Spread the word. Be active and assertive with your drive to deliver the best care you can offer. We will fail as a profession to grow in value and stature in the health care industry if we cannot follow through with our goals and aspirations to be Grand Physical Therapists.