Page 6 - Mecklenburg_Medicine_September-2019

President’s Letter
Progress, Not Perfection
By Elizabeth B. Moran, MD
A lthough this magazine likely will arrive in your hands after
Labor Day, I am writing this in the middle of summer to
meet the deadline. I have no doubt been an irritant to the
MCMS Magazine Editorial Board for my tendency to
take things down to the wire. This time, as I stare at my MacBook in the
July heat, trying to come up with the perfect topic, I realize I am falling
victim to the age-old trap of losing the “good” in pursuit of the “perfect.”
The Pareto principle, or 80–20 rule, explains this numerically. For
example, it commonly takes 20 percent of a specific period of time to
complete 80 percent of a task, while to complete the last 20 percent of
a task takes 80 percent of the effort. Achieving absolute perfection may
be impossible, and so, as increasing effort results in diminishing returns,
further activity becomes increasingly inefficient.
An insightful online article in Forbes by Deep Patel has an excellent
perspective on this phenomenon1. And equally fascinating to me, is the
realization that the concept precedes modern pressures and the digital
age of connectivity. Some examples:
• Confucius (551-479 BC): “Better a diamond with a flaw than a
pebble without.”
• Shakespeare (1564-1616): “Striving to better, oft we mar what’s well.”
• Voltaire (1694-1778): “The best is the enemy of the good.”
• Winston Churchill (1874-1965): “The maxim ‘Nothing avails but
perfection’ may be spelt shorter: ‘Paralysis.’”
According to Patel, people too often mistake progress for perfection.
They get lost in the details instead of asking if their work is moving
them generally in the right direction. It is easy to forget that sometimes
momentum is what matters most, while ensuring time is not wasted
obsessing over the little things that won’t end up making that much of an
impact. Sometimes it isn’t about getting it perfect, but about getting it out
the door and then making adjustments.
So, can we get more done, faster, while still remaining effective and
responsible and ensuring the quality of our work? Patel reminds us to
focus on the process, not the final product. When there is too much
emphasis on the final product, it is easy to fall into the trap of idolizing
the end result and spending disproportionate effort on the last bit. This
has some real implications for physicians in practice. This is applicable
to something as small as EMR charting, as well as something as large as
starting an independent practice.
Instead, we need to place more focus on the day-to-day habits and
processes that allow our work to unfold. If we have good habits in place,
the end result will be everything it needs to be, and we need to trust that.
In addition, when we focus on the process instead of the final product, we
allow ourselves plenty of room to adjust and learn as we go. Expecting to
have the final result perfectly in mind from the outset can be a mistake.
Great things take time to unfold. Set deadlines and stick to them.
Nothing encourages perfection more than movable deadlines. As soon as
we get in the habit of postponing, suddenly whatever it is we are working
6 | September 2019 • Mecklenburg Medicine
on isn’t good enough. So, I am finally able to get this article to the Editorial
Board by just getting something on paper. I’m learning in the process.
We have tried to live this principle of “progress not perfection” on
your Board of Directors this year. We see progress as invigorating,
fluid and open. We made a commitment in the beginning of the year
to focus on facilitating avenues for our membership to connect with
one another, focus on wellness and burnout, and assist others in our
community. We are not professional event planners. This is not the type
of non-profit that throws elaborate galas. None of our upcoming events
will be perfect, but we are excited to have more to offer and can’t wait
to see what happens. Perfection focuses on what’s not working, the
flaws, the not-enoughs, the old paradigms. Progress looks at what is
working, the improvements, the discoveries, the “aha” moments that
can come from looking at things in a new way.
Reference:
1“Why Perfection Is the Enemy of Done,” Deep Patel; www.forbes.
com/sites/deeppatel/2017/06/16/why-perfection-is-the-enemy-of-
done/#1be9711a4395
Add these events to your calendar:
n Tyber Creek Pub at 1933 South Boulevard offers drink specials on
Thursdays, but beginning September 12 also will take an additional 10
percent off your bill if you show a medical ID.
n TowneBank is sponsoring a Member “mix and mingle” at Legion
Brewery SouthPark on September 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
n Fighting for Women With Fashion will be October 1, 7 p.m.,
Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts. Tickets are
available at www.safealliance.org. This event features a silent auction,
wine pull and fashion presentation.
n NCMOM (Missions of Mercy) is hosting an Adult Dental
Clinic Friday-Saturday, Oct. 18-19, Charlotte Bojangles Arena.
Medical, dental and community volunteers are needed.
Visit www.ncmom-charlotte.com for more information.
n Back by popular demand, MCMS is having another physician
wellness event. Dael Waxman, MD, and Joanna Furr, RN, BSN,
will facilitate, “Love It or Leave It: Enhance Your Wellbeing by
Regaining Control at Work.” This interactive and fun evening on
October 24, 6 p.m., will be FREE. It is currently planned for Noble
Smoke, 2216 Freedom Drive (this is the working location at press
time, but we will update details via email/Facebook). If you missed
this event last year, it was FABULOUS. Space is limited; RSVP to
sbuchanan@meckmed.org ASAP.
n The MCMS 2020 Annual Meeting will be January 23, 6 p.m.,
Myers Park Country Club. Expect a dynamic evening featuring Mark
Robinson, motivational speaker and comedian magician. Register online
at www.meckmed.org beginning September 1 or call 704-376-3688.