If you’ve read over this entire newsletter, you likely caught that I’ve taken notice of the “hot topic” of pediatrics in podiatry. It also may have you thinking, “Oh no…. I don’t have a pediatric track in my agenda!”
Don’t stress!! Just because something is seemingly trending, doesn’t mean every organization has to jump on board. Whether you are a meeting or a button store, it’s important to stick to your strengths. If pediatrics (or whatever the next hot scientific trend is) doesn’t make sense for the type of meeting you’ve shaped – don’t do it.
Similarly, focus on your strengths vs. spinning your wheels trying to improve upon your weaknesses. Everyone has both. Growing up and then through college, I played tennis; so indulge me and allow me to use a metaphor that comes naturally to me.
My serve was the best weapon in my game. So if I got to choose, I always served first in a tennis match. Follow it up with a wicked forehand and I was feeling good. What wasn’t so hot – my backhand volley. I have a real knack for smacking the ball down into that pesky net that some mean person decided to put in the middle of the court. So does that mean I never practiced by backhand volley? No. I didn’t want it to be so noticeably awful that people would attack it… BUT I spent more time practicing strategies that would keep players from hitting to my weak side when I was at the net and forced myself into positions where I was utilizing my strengths. I practiced MUCH more on ensuring my strengths were exposed vs. polishing a turd that was my backhand volley.
So if your meeting has created a reputation for having the best scientific content revolving around …. oh … let’s make up an example….. biopsies and dermoscopy…. stick with it and pound it home to your champions who want more! Avoid getting distracted by the new, bright shiny thing – unless it elevates where you’re currently thriving.
Everyone has something they do better than most… and someone else is better than you at something too. Let them be great at “that thing” and you be great at “your thing.” A jack of all trades is a master of none.
–Sarah Breymeier