Let Them

One of the habits I started last year was listening to podcasts in my car on my way to and from work. I had a backlog of different episodes saved that I just couldn’t seem to find the time for, and I decided that I would use my 20-minute car ride to chip away at this list. While I typically listen to industry podcasts, I decided to branch out and add some new ones to my repertoire.

One podcast that quickly became a favorite was the Mel Robbins Podcast. I’ve read all of her books, and I really enjoy the guests she has on, and her simple way of breaking down sometimes complex topics into actionable items. One of my absolute favorite episodes that I’ve listened to multiple times is centered around her “Let Them” theory — which has also been released as a book.

What is the Let Them theory? It’s a tool that gives you the permission to give up the need to control the opinions, actions, and judgements of others. You essentially “let them” do what they need to do, and focus on your own choices and growth and stop worrying about external factors that are beyond your control. Put simply, it is an approach to reclaiming your life by focusing on what you can control and releasing what you can’t.

How can we use this strategy in our practices? How many of us focus on or make decisions based off what we perceive our patients think? How many knee-jerk reactions or changes do we make in a practice after one patient encounter? How many of us worry about other businesses and their impact on our practices, even though they’re outside our control?  

Running a successful practice takes a lot of work and can often be stressful. But, with the “Let Them” theory, we can free ourselves from worrying about what everyone else thinks, and run our business the way we see fit. Did Warby Parker open up in your town, and you are worried your patients are going to take their prescriptions for a lower cost option? Let them. Did you drop a vision plan January 1 and are worried your patients are going to leave? Let them. Did you decide to change your hours and drop Saturdays because they were not profitable, and you had a patient complain they are never coming back? Let them. Stop trying to control your patients’ actions and behavior and accept that you can only control your own reactions.  

Does this mean we let patients walk all over us and our team? It’s actually the complete opposite. By using the “Let Them” theory, you set clear boundaries and respond appropriately if someone crosses them. What is the outcome? A team that is focused on their own actions and behaviors instead of constantly worrying about how a patient will respond to a hypothetical scenario.

I encourage you to embrace the “Let Them” theory in your practice. Decide the “why” of your practice, set a plan in motion to achieve that, and don’t let anything stop you!

Yours in success,
Jennifer L. Stewart, OD