Episode #372: The Importance of Having a BHAG, with Dr. John Cranham

When setting goals for yourself, you don’t want something small and timid—no, you need a goal that’s Big, Hairy, and Audacious! To help you understand this concept, Kirk Behrendt invites Dr. John Cranham to today’s episode. A renowned dentist and teacher, Dr. Cranham explains why you should be setting goals, steps you can take to reach them, and much more! To learn about setting and achieving your Big Hairy Audacious Goals, listen to Episode 372 of The Best Practices Show! 

Main Takeaways:

• Successful people always have a goal they’re working on.
• When creating your goals, spend a good amount of time thinking about what you want them to be.
• We don’t always attain all our goals, and that’s ok.
• Always keep striving to be better.
• No one has it all figured out—there’s always room to learn.
• A good BHAG should not be comfortable.

Quotes:

• “The biggest things in my life that were important to me from a professional standpoint started with an idea that got me excited; that seemed impossible—almost seemed like I couldn’t do it, and I think that’s one of the things, is that if you can think of something that really excites you and it seems impossible, but there’s a sliver of chance that you might be able to do it, there’s something about that that sort of ejects you out of bed in the morning.” (07:26—08:00)
• “If you don’t have that goal, that thing that’s exciting you, then it’s really easy to just get caught into the day-to-day routine.” (08:31—08:44)
• “It’s not as much about attaining the goal as much as it is chasing it and using it for inspiration.” (09:44—09:52)
• “You can find a coach that can give you a path, but then it’s ultimately up to you to get up every day and to follow that path and learn from it and tweak it along the way.” (15:30—15:43)
• “For me, the best [BHAGS] are usually gonna be things that make me feel like I’m making a difference, like that that’s gonna be benefitting the people—other people on the planet—and if there’s some financial reward as well doing that, that’s good too, because you’ve kinda gotta fuel both of those things if it’s gonna be a business thing.” (18:01—18:25)
• “Really successful people, they have the ability to create daily behaviors that direct themselves towards these goals, these stepping stones.” (19:07—19:18)
• “I think one of the things to really remember as a dentist is that old book—you know, good can become the enemy of great.” (23:42—23:49)
• “I think the joy in any of us is when we are giving our best, and as part of that best we have the feeling that we’re helping other people and making the world a little bit better.” (24:02—24:14)
• “The people in this profession that I admire and I think are getting the most joy out of it are the ones that continue to strive to be better.” (27:41—27:53)
• Regardless of how long it takes, if you’re working towards it you’re growing, and if you’re growing I think you’re happy.” (31:23—31:32)
• You gotta keep evolving, and you have to understand that as you’re going through this life that where you think you’re gonna be at 45, 55, 65—whatever—doesn’t necessarily…it’s just gonna be where you are. And that’s why I think you always have to review—‘Ok, where am I? And is what I’m doing now working for me?’” (34:06—34:32)
• I think the biggest thing is as you think about your BHAGs, think about it beyond just financial.” (42:47—42:57)
• “I think that as a dentist the more you can focus your time on becoming a great diagnostician, and then also looking to put workflows into your practice that will allow you to see the problems and see the solutions faster—that’s what I’m helping dentists do now through visual workflows, but however you choose to do that, do that.” (43:44—44:12)
• “Set some of those BHAGs, float them around your head, and if you start getting some butterflies in your stomach, that’s probably a pretty good BHAG. Thinking about something that’s just kind of dead is probably not a good one.” (45:23—45:36)

Snippets:

• 0:00 Introduction.
• 03:46 Dr. Cranham’s background.
• 07:07 Importance of setting goals.
• 11:18 Having attainable stepping stones.
• 16:03 Dr. Cranham’s process.
• 18:59 Dr. Pete Dawson and creating good behaviors.
• 22:17 Finding joy and improving the world.
• 24:58 Good as the enemy of great.
• 28:31 External pressures to goals.
• 23:08 Finding people to help you.
• 36:51 “Crazy” goals.
• 39:45 The Cornell Effect.
• 32:47 Final advice.
• 46:09 Cranham Clinical Coaching.
• 48:24 Final thoughts.

Reach out to Dr. Cranham:

Dr. Cranham’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.c.cranham

Dr. Cranham’s Instagram: @johnccranhamdds

Dr. Cranham’s email: [email protected]

The Cornell Effect: https://www.amazon.com/Cornell-Effect-Familys-Happiness-Fulfillment/dp/164704264X/

Bio:

Dr. John C. Cranham is a highly respected and renowned dentist in Chesapeake, VA. At his state-of-the-art office, he delivers unsurpassed general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dentistry, including TMJ THERAPY and DENTAL IMPLANT SERVICES. Dr. Cranham uses his vast experience and expansive knowledge to create healthy, natural-looking smiles.

Dr. Cranham was an honors graduate of the Medical College of Virginia in 1988. He’s an internationally recognized speaker on the esthetic principles of smile design, contemporary occlusal concepts, treatment planning, restoration selection, digital photography, laboratory communication, and happiness and fulfillment in dentistry.

Dr. Cranham founded Cranham Dental Seminars, which provides lectures, mobile programs, and intensive hands-on experiences to dentists around the world. In 2008, Cranham Dental Seminars merged with THE DAWSON ACADEMY, a world-famous continuing education facility based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

As The Dawson Academy’s acting Clinical Director, Dr. Cranham is involved with many of the courses and provides continuing education to dental professionals across the globe. He spends approximately two-thirds of his time in private practice and the other third as an educator. He believes this balance keeps him on the leading edge of both disciplines.

A published author, Dr. Cranham is committed to providing the highest quality patient care, as well as developing sound educational programs that exceed the needs of today’s dental professional.

He is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, and American Equilibration Society.

Peter E. Dawson, D.D.S. is considered to be one of the most influential clinicians and teachers in the history of dentistry. He is the founder of the “Concept of Complete Dentistry Series” as well as The Dawson Academy.