Navigate Your Way Through the Noise and Into Clarity

Daniel Alter, MSc, MDT, CDT

The world in which we currently live is beset with negative emotions, uncertainty, despair, and fear for both our individual futures and those of generations to come. The current political environment, coupled with a historic global pandemic, is creating a level of commotion that is difficult to process. The anxiety created by these events has produced a "fog" which has diminished mental clarity for many people. This fog incapacitates us with fear and negativity and freezes progress by blocking us from appropriately looking to the future and recognizing the great possibilities it may have to offer.

When we engage with television, radio, social media, and friendly conversations, more often than not, the interactions or media coverage turn to the current circumstances. These communications, which I consider unsolicited noise, produce a deepening sense of fog that is incredibly counterproductive when attempting to create healthy and strategic planning for your business, as well as for your individual career trajectory. Historically, great wealth and remarkable successes have been realized during challenging times, and those individuals who were able to see beyond the "noise" and focus their energies on finding solutions for existing or newly emerging challenges benefited greatly. I am a true believer that wherever focused energy goes, it will grow, as will great innovations and progress. What are you finding yourself focused on? Are you looking for unique solutions that you could offer your market? Perhaps there is something that would solve your clientele's pain points—existing and new—that would differentiate your laboratory from the rest. You must manage and master your inner dialogue to be among those that progress and innovate within your space.

As we close out one year, albeit an unusually challenging year, and we look ahead to the next, we have the opportunity to explore a unique perspective. What will 2021 look like from your viewpoint? And where will you focus your valuable energy? This month, every individual, whether a laboratory owner, manager, or technician, should assess their current situation and plan toward a greater year ahead, with a clear and concise list of actionable items that will lead to the desired end goal. Take note of the noise, compartmentalize it as such, and continue to forge unwaveringly toward your goals. At the end of the day, your time is the most valuable asset that you possess. We all have the same 24 hours, but how that time is used and where your energy is focused can lead to vastly different outcomes. Use your time wisely to maximize your results, and don't allow "noise" to make you stumble.

Wishing all a happy holiday season and a prosperous 2021!

It is my great honor and pleasure to elevate and inspire with knowledge.