Posted on 2011-05-16 16:00:33
This past Saturday, I was watching an old episode of the Sopranos. It was from the year 2000, but the themes seemed very relevant to the recent economy troubles and how major players were not taking accountability for mistakes.
In the episode, a sports store owner named David approaches the mafia boss about getting in a poker game. The mafia runs some high-priced poker game that is very attractive to a gambling addict like him. David is discouraged from entering and told he'll be in over his head. Instead of listening, he tracks down the location of the game, begs to be let in, borrows $10,000 to play, then borrows another $10,000 after losing, and winds up being $45,000 in debt. This starts jeopardizing his business ownership, his son going to college, and his marriage. As the mob boss is slapping him around, he has the nerve to plead, "Please cut me a break! I've been unlucky!"
It's startling to hear someone take zero responsibility for a very self-created predicament, but this is very common to some extent in all of us. As a dentist, you are a full business owner and have to take credit when your practice goes well and when it doesn't. Any time you attribute success for failure to luck, you're taking away your sense of control over the situation. Keep positive when things go bad, but always remember you're in the driver's seat.