November 20, 2020 | Tannus Quatre, PT, MBA
3 Minute Read
Reflections for PTs #1 – Hammering Through That Hill
Running a physical therapy business isn’t easy. From keeping track of medical billing to personal development to marketing, there is a mountain of work to sift through and make sure is on par with your level of service and quality of care.
Like most practice owners, we can sometimes feel bogged down with an endless list of obligations. And while we know it comes with the territory, it doesn’t mean that you have to feel like you’re stuck in a rut with no way out. So, when I feel like I’m getting overwhelmed, I think of one man. His name is Dahrath Manjhi. Let me tell you a little bit about his story.
The Story of Dahrath Manjhi
Manjhi’s story takes place in a village that did not have direct access to a nearby city due to a hill that blocked its path. But nonetheless, Manjhi had one goal in mind: to cut through this 300-foot-high mountain of rock and do whatever it took to make way for access into the city. Initially, Manjhi thought this type of endeavor would only be a 10-kilometer trip. Instead, it turned out to be a 70-kilometer trek due to the placement of the hill. But that didn’t stop this man with the go-getter personality. Manjhi was determined to overcome this obstacle after his wife died due to lack of receiving hospital care and medical treatment when she needed it because the nearest facility was too far away.
Manjhi did not want others to suffer similar unfortunate circumstances so he got to work. From 1960 to 1982, he began cutting through this rocky hill with just a few tools in his possession: a chisel, hammer, and rope.
“When I started hammering the hill, people called me a lunatic, but that steeled my resolve,” Manjhi later said.
Several years later, this incredible man passed away in 2007, but his story is told again and again to both old and new generations. As for the end result of his monumental goal? The completed path today is a kilometer long, about 16 feet wide, and still utilized by those in his village.
Lessons I’ve Learned
I’ve gathered so much from this little story that has shaped and changed the way I view so much in my life – both professionally and personally. Lessons about overcoming challenges, staying true to yourself, keeping your eye on the goal and so much more. To be honest, I never even knew Manjhi’s name until a little while ago, but now he is one of the first people that come to mind when I start to feel overwhelmed. He is the true example of how you can “dream the impossible” and become “living the probable.” All you need is a little bit of patience, persistence and coordinated drive.
