Outreach Beat—Issue 1

  ISSUE I

MISSION FOCUS: WHY AM I ENGAGED IN OUTREACH 

Outreach can be a grind. Few Outreach Operators ever work 9 to 5 and weekdays only. Hear me? Sure. After more than 45 years at this, I can attest the tradecraft of Outreach requires long hours, intensive commitment, and a wide array of skill sets. Yet, when we are effective, the rewards and adventures are many. You know this – but – do you ever feel exhausted, fatigued, and weary? Or are you ever so immersed in the minutia that Outreach requires that you seem to forget why you are doing this in the first place? Of course, we all do.

BEFORE THE RULES OF OUTREACH & THE SEVEN CORE PRINCIPLES

We are about to embark on an expedition through a series of articles that will inform you about the rules and seven core principles of Outreach for healthcare professionals. But before any of this, what matters most? What requires more daily and minute-by-minute focus than any other factor? You know this, but maybe it is no longer clear and obvious. What matters most is knowing why you are doing what you are doing. Do you remember that? Do you remember your first Outreach endeavors and your passion and excitement to positively impact lives? If you are new to this or investigating Outreach as a career, it’s still the same. Why? What is your mission focus, and what is the true mission of your organization?

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I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT STATUS QUO MEANINGLESS MISSION STATEMENTS

Okay, all the books and experts opine on “Your Mission Statement.” Fine. Frankly, after more than five decades working in and with healthcare organizations all over the USA, Australia, and Canada, few ever create meaningful, well-clarified, or inspiring mission statements. What I want you to do is decide on YOUR MISSION FOCUS. Your raison d’être (reason to exist). Stop right now. Take five minutes not looking at or using your addictive mobile phone. 

Write this down. I mean this, physically, find one of those devices called an ink pen, pencil or marker (remember those?) On a piece of paper or in a notebook simply write, “My mission focus, my reason to exist, why I work so hard to be effective at Outreach is___________________________________________________________________

It can be one word, one phrase, one sentence, or a series of “bullet points.”

Now reflect on this. 

More than 45 years ago, when I was a new nationally registered EMT/paramedic working at a high-volume ambulance service, I came across a quote by Voltaire affixed to a locker door in our ready room. 

To this day, these words inspire me and remind me of my mission focus. I hope they will evoke in you a spirit of the nobility and importance of your working in healthcare. Whatever your role.

KEEP THIS IN YOUR SPIRIT, HEART AND MIND DAILY. It’s not easy – it’s a discipline – a habit.

WHAT’S NEXT 

Since 2000, our firm has developed more than 322 healthcare Outreach principles, templates, methods and software applications. I promise there is no shortage of content. First, in this continuing series, we will focus on; 

• What is a CUSTOMER in the OUTREACH ECO-SYSTEM
• THE 5 RULES OF OUTREACH
• THE SEVEN CORE PRINCIPLES of an EFFECTIVE Healthcare Outreach Practitioner ™

COMMUNICATE

Please be in touch. I’d be so honored to learn about how you responded to your Outreach mission focus question and your Outreach aspirations.

[email protected] 

Keep the Beat – Rich O