Dr. Capista’s success philosophy is simple; combine your deepest passion, develop solid business principles while striving for balance in all areas of your life.
Dr. Capista travels throughout the United States sharing his messages with audiences who are eager to learn proven success principles.
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by Dr. Joe Capista
Building a successful business does not happen overnight. It can take
years to reach the point where you achieve what you want. I know, I speak from
over 30 years of business experience that took me from being very naïve in
running a business to now being one of the top in my industry.
When I began my dental practice over three decades ago, there was so much I didn’t know on how to run a business. Although I did well my first year in business, it was nothing compared to what was to come. A major turning point in how I viewed business and how I ran my business was when I met the man who would change my life.
A quiet and gentle man, Charlie Schaivo, entered my life. Charlie was an accountant by trade and a very specialized consultant with an expertise in dental practice acquisitions. It was during my first acquisition that I met Charlie.
Charlie was a very refined man who rarely dressed in other than a
business suit, well-pressed shirt, polished shoes and hat. He continues this
practice even now in his late 80’s. He once jokingly told me, “Joe, I even cut
my lawn in a suit.” Charlie’s quiet confidence, love of learning and joy for
life was contagious. I liked being around him. I could listen to him for hours
as he instilled his wisdom in me.
It was during this time Charlie became the main mentor in my life. Little
did I realize how influential and instrumental to my success this man would be.
Initially, we didn’t talk about the
fact he was my mentor; that aspect of our relationship simply evolved. We met
once a month from 1979 to 1998. Each time we met we spoke about the month, a
little bit about what we were doing in the office, and a lot about personal
success, personal growth, how to sell, and how to help people.
Charlie believed wholeheartedly in goal setting. It was the foundation of
much of what created his success. It was one of the greatest insights to
achievement Charlie passed on to me.
The goal setting process Charlie shared with me goes beyond a haphazard
resolution or one that is simply for amusement; it lays the foundation for
success so many people crave.
Today, the process is a part of my success strategy. I wouldn’t dream of
not using it. A major aspect of what Charlie shared is that of a yearly review.
The process of the yearly review is one that I have grown to anticipate with
great excitement. It allows me the opportunity to reflect on what I have
accomplished over the previous year and what is possible in the coming year.
The yearly review cornerstone of what I teach anyone I mentor regarding
achievement, success and goal setting.
My first serious attempt at setting goals and writing them down was New
Year’s of 1989 or 1989. The process included some vague goals, but they were
goals nonetheless.
As with most processes, the more I studied goal setting, the more I
realized the need to be extremely specific. Each year since that time, without
fail, I review my previous goals, evaluate where I am in comparison to where I
want to be, refine my current goals and set new ones. I am now much more
specific about what I want. For example, in the beginning I might write down,
“Read personal growth books.” Now I will write, “Read personal development books
for 30 to 60 minutes a day.” The difference it the results from vague goals to
specific goals is astounding.
One of the main reasons people don’t achieve what they want is they are
not specific enough. Another is that they make a half-hearted attempt at
setting goals. They may think about what they want and call that goal setting.
The fact is thinking about what you want is only part of the process. There is
so much more.
My goal setting process begins within the first week of the New Year. I
use a goal journal for the process. A goal journal can be as simple as a blank
notebook or as elaborate as a bound, leather journal.
As I end one year and begin another I review my goals from the previous
year. I determine whether I have met my goal, if I need to lessen or heighten
the requirement of the goal or eliminate it all together. If I met the goal, do
I need to change it?
The journal allows you to see your progression in specific areas each
year. Take goals on physical fitness, for example. When your goals are clearly
written, you can’t deny whether or not you achieved your outcome. If you
didn’t, you could enhance the goal. In my case, when I reviewed my physical
fitness, did I need to increase my running ability, number of days for working
out? When you write your goals down, you hold yourself accountable for your
goals.
Take time to set goals in every area of your life, both personally and
professionally. Be very clear about what you want. From there, you must write
this information down. Once you write it down, you must be willing to review
your goals every single day. You must also be willing to make choices around
what you wrote down. As Charlie has told me many times, “You can have anything
you want if you are willing to pay the price.”
A simple price to pay to achieve what you want is to notice the choices
you make each and every day and adjust your choices accordingly.
Dr. Joe Capista is the owner of Williamsburg Dental, a multi-million
dollar dental practice with two locations in
Feel free to visit my blog: http://www.thesuccesstriangle.net