I am Dr. Hassan, a Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own profitable practices so they can achieve financial independence and live without limits.
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When you finish a great book, you know what happened. That might sound silly, but not all books do this. When preparing speeches or attempting to write the next great novel, they don’t always stick to a main message, lesson, or theme. They try to include too much.
Great storytellers start out with a definite idea in mind. You know what you’re moving towards. You have an idea; even if you don’t know how your story will end, you know where it’s heading.
This is true of fiction, nonfiction, stories that teach morals, and humorous content. You want to be crystal clear on the central theme. You want your plot to be evident, and once your story kicks into high gear, it shouldn’t move from its focus.
Learn This Lesson from The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway’s short novel, The Old Man and the Sea, was his last major work of fiction. It was published in 1952, earning him the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Some claim it to be the legendary author’s most important work, and if you want a lesson in great storytelling, definitely read it.
It works partly because it never wavers from a simple but clearly defined plot. It’s not confusing. There isn’t a lot going on. There are only two main human characters and a third important character, an 18-foot-blue marlin. That’s it. Other characters make very small appearances, but basically, these three characters are the entire book.
The basic plot of the story is clear and simple. An old fisherman who hasn’t caught anything worthwhile in a long time struggles to catch a Marlin of massive proportions. He battles the fish, weather, sharks, and cuts to his hand but never gives up.
That’s the story’s basic plot—and Hemingway sticks to it.
Keep Your Plot Simple and Clear
The message or lesson of the story is that if you want to accomplish something, you should never give up, no matter what gets in your way. The plot is also simple and crystal-clear. You have a fisherman in a boat and a fish he’s trying to catch. That’s the gist of it.
Getting into the story is easy because you aren’t distracted by unnecessary characters and subplots. Remember, great storytellers tell stories with a clearly defined and simple plot that readers can easily follow.
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Once you’ve decided that you want to leave your current job to start your practice, you need an exit plan. Check out our blog post here for tips on developing an exit plan and starting your new independent practice.
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I’m Dr. Hassan, a Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own profitable practices so they can achieve financial independence and live without limits. Please go to businessofrehab.com/contractnegotiations to pick up the free guide to help you negotiate the contract of your dreams.
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