September 10, 2019

Finding myself (and the surprising similarities to finding missing revenue)

Alison Hovind

10 out of 10 would recommend. Painful. Enlightening. Long. Best decision of my life. Exhausting. Beautiful. Did I say painful?

These are just a handful of statements I have used over the past 16 months when answering the question “how was it?” Like all non-objective questions in life, there is never just one answer, especially when trying to capture something that by definition is wild. Enough caveats; this is how walking 2,650 miles, for 147 days, from Mexico to Canada, on The Pacific Crest Trail radically changed my life.

My Life Insight

This next statement is deeply unsettling to write; I am your typical millennial. My parents gave me all I ever needed, I received a world class education, I landed a fulfilling job, but I wanted more. Despite having literally no idea what that meant, not knowing my destination was the best way to get there. I left Epic and Wisconsin behind and 22 days later I was standing on the US/Mexican border in Campo, California filled with nothing but excitement and fear (not to mention 40 pounds of food, water, and gear on my back). I set off, one foot after the other, with one thought running through my mind, what does it mean to be a great man? My hiking partner and I, not to mention the countless other hikers we met on trail, discussed this and other “real life” topics at length.

My Realizations

From these conversations and the nearly 1,200 hours I spent walking alone through deserts and over mountains, I came to hundreds of realizations, but none more impactful than these four:

  1. Little things make all the difference (a warm soda left out by trail angels, a perfectly flat tent site, seeing a friend for the first time in a month on a hard day, just to name a few)
  2. We are capable of so much more than we ever thought imaginable
  3. Breath and enjoy the moment (although breathing at 13,000 feet is sometimes difficult)
  4. Above all else, anything worthwhile takes effort

As I put pen to paper, I realize these all sound quite cliché and rather obvious, but to me they were life altering. No longer do I desire to coast through life without a second thought or take any moment for granted. I now find joy in the mundane and have a drive to always be more than the day before. I have a long way to go but I am now equipped with the insights to navigate all life has to offer, the good and the bad.

But how does this help you find your missing revenue?

This should come as no surprise, but it takes effort; from the front desk registrars, to the billing managers, all the way up to the CFO. Unlike walking 2,650 miles, improving revenue cycle operations is a team effort and will only be successful if everyone commits fully to the objective. While the end goal of lowering AR days or receiving fewer denials is important, don’t forget to breath, appreciate the small victories, and realize that with the right people, anything is possible.

Even though The Proclaimers only sing about walking 500 miles (and 500 more), their lyrics could not ring more true for what I am most looking forward to about joining The Wilshire Group: “When I’m working, yes I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who’s working hard for you”. If you are interested in talking more about my hike across the country, learning how The Wilshire Group can bring value to your revenue cycle, or what it’s like to work for The Wilshire Group, don’t hesitate to email Tyre Pierce. I would love to chat!

Alison Hovind

Work with me