How do you develop a clear vision for your practice?

1 Assess your current situation

Before you create your vision, you need to understand where you are now and what challenges and opportunities you face. You can use tools such as SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) or PESTLE analysis (political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors) to evaluate your internal and external environment. You can also gather feedback from your team, your clients, and your peers to identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

2 Define your purpose and values

Your purpose is the reason why you exist as a practice, and your values are the principles that guide your behavior and decisions. Your purpose and values should be aligned with your personal and professional passions, beliefs, and ethics. They should also reflect the needs and expectations of your clients and your community. To define your purpose and values, you can ask yourself questions such as: What is the impact that you want to make? What are the core values that you live by? How do you want to be perceived by others?

3 Set your goals and objectives

Your goals and objectives are the specific and measurable outcomes that you want to achieve in the short and long term. They should be aligned with your purpose and values, and they should be realistic and attainable. You can use the SMART framework (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) to set your goals and objectives. You can also prioritize your goals and objectives based on their importance and urgency.

4 Write your vision statement

Your vision statement is a concise and compelling summary of your purpose, values, and goals. It should be clear, inspiring, and memorable. It should also be flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities. To write your vision statement, you can use the following formula: To [your purpose] by [your values] and [your goals]. For example, a vision statement for a dental practice could be: To provide excellent oral health care by using the latest technology and techniques and exceeding our clients' expectations.

5 Communicate and implement your vision

Your vision is not only a statement, but also a strategy. You need to communicate and implement your vision throughout your practice. You can use various methods to communicate your vision, such as meetings, newsletters, posters, or social media. You can also involve your team in creating and executing your vision, by inviting their input, feedback, and suggestions. You can also monitor and evaluate your progress towards your vision, by using key performance indicators (KPIs) or benchmarks, and celebrating your achievements and milestones.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?