The Domino Effect

As a child, we played dominos quite often. When we got tired of playing, we would stack up the dominos in a line and try our hardest to blow (with the air in our lungs) the first domino to create a chain reaction that topples the dominos down; that was fun. The domino effect is simply a chain reaction. The Guinness world book of Records for dominos lined up together to topple one another is 500 dominos. It would be best if you looked it up on YouTube; it is pretty cool to watch. It shows the sequential spacing and falling of each domino.

The concept of the domino effect could be interpreted in several ways.

1. First, it takes minimal effort to ignite the first domino, which generates enough momentum to create the chain reaction. In essence, all you need is inertia, initial power to start.

2. Another way to look at the domino effect is the length of impact, in that regardless of the end of the domino, so long the spacing between is consistent, the dominos will fall. In essence, your destination could be longer than the Eiffel Tower or shorter than a miniature horse's stable; the same energy is expelled to achieve the goal. Therefore, why not dream big enough?

Not only is the domino effect applicable physically, but also in our lives. Here's a chain reaction worth sharing. In the fall of 2012, I left my job at OU Medical Center (OUMC), moving to Los Angeles, California. While at OUMC, I worked under an Administrator (through my Director) who later relocated to Texas. After almost two years of working in California, my family and I decided it was time to return to Texas. There was a position open in the Dallas Metro, and I reached out to my former Director, who communicated my interest in the role in Texas to the said Administrator (who had grown fond of me while in Oklahoma).

On his own accord, the Administrator reached out to the Administrator at the facility in Texas, and I was scheduled for an interview; the rest is history. I also like to share the fact that they already had a candidate picked and was ready to make an offer to that applicant when my name came across their desk. Here's the chain reaction; my initial effort in developing a good relationship with the said Administrator in Oklahoma was the first domino. Some might consider the Administrator's willingness to speak on my behalf as the second domino, and my interview (and me delivering on that day) might be the third domino. If I were extending the impact further, my current role (as I write this chapter) as a Service Line Administrator comes from that path thus far. It has all been a chain reaction, an actual domino effect, and it all started with a positive connection with one man.

For you, it may not be that direct. Some domino lines are zig-zagged and crossed severally, but the result of the initial domino could get you to the destination of where you are going. As you plan your days, weeks, or months ahead, you may need to set the first domino in effect to achieve your personal goals. Your success may be dependent on that first domino. Find that domino, and get things going.

Best wishes,

L.B.