Archive for Work/Life/Balance Tips for Dentists and Healthcare Professionals
Kindergarten for Dentists: Have a Sense of Wonder
Posted by: | CommentsKindergarteners spend time wondering. They are never satisfied with what grown-ups tell them about life. They aren’t “okay” with the status quo. They wonder how high they can climb up the tree; how far they can ride their tricycle and how many insects they can collect before dinner. They know virtually no limitations.
As we grow up, we put limits on ourselves all of the time. We limit ourselves (and essentially limit our success) by saying that we don’t have enough money, that there is not enough time and that it’s impossible to find good employees. As adults, we push ourselves away from day dreaming because, well, that’s for kids!
What should you be wondering and day dreaming about?
- Wonder how you can make your practice better: What could you implement to make the practice more appealing? More comfortable? More well-recognized?
- Wonder how you can make your staff feel more appreciated: How can you tell your staff how much you love what they do for you?
- Wonder how you can acknowledge your patients: What unique things can you do to show them that you value that they chose you and not someone else?
There is more to life than what is within the 4 walls of your dental office. Explore and see what is beyond your practice. When I was a young dentist and suffered from a heart attack, my whole world abruptly changed. I used that seemingly desperate situation to turn it all around – for myself, my business and my family. (You can read more about that here: www.killingthepractice.com)
There are many valuable lessons, for success and happiness. We just have to learn, see and think – like 5 year olds!
Whose Problem Is It Anyway?
Posted by: | CommentsMy clients come to me, THE DENTAL COACH©, to assist them in resolving the problems in their dental practice. One of the problems they experience in their offices is that of last minute cancellations and no-show patients. A lot of finger pointing happens when this problem arises. Blame is placed just about everywhere — the office manager who doesn’t enforce the policy; the doctor who lets his or her favorite patients come in whenever; the appointment coordinator who does not call to confirm appointments consistently enough.
We have an innate human desire to achieve better results – but we hesitate to look at ourselves and make the concerted effort to change. We point fingers and blame others. It’s so much easier. The doctor says it’s the staff’s problem and the staff insists it’s the doctor’s problem.
The real problem is our comfort zone. Our brains are wired to perceive the pain of making the change worse than actually making the change. Making a change means effort – it means going the extra mile.
So, how do you get your office as a whole to stop blaming and start moving?
1. Clearly outline the problem. What is working great? What could be improved upon?
2. What is the desired result? (Make this a tangible metric – i.e. a 75% decrease in short-notice open schedule time)
3. Collectively list all of the possible action steps together, and decide, as a team, which action plan is best.
4. Determine who will handle the necessary follow-up and who is the champion of this project.
Remember: If you do what you’ve always done, you get what you’ve always got.
Are You A Dentist Obsessed with Having It All?
Posted by: | Comments“I have to protect my bottom line, so I have to work longer and harder” is the #1 reason I hear for dentists not taking time out to have more work/life balance. There are easy-to-follow, yet transformative methods, for “having it all” in my book, Killing the Practice Before It Kills You: How Throwing Out My Business Model Saved My Life.
Before I “killed my practice” I was constantly dreading something. I was dealing with so much at the office, and that takes its toll on your mental and physical health. I was worried about the staff, the equipment, the patients, the schedule book. I was worried about my daughters’ college funds, my wife’s next birthday extravaganza and what retirement would look like.
After I killed my practice, my functionality and effectiveness in my professional life actually improved. My family life improved. I was still able to pay the bills, while enjoying practicing dentistry so much more. A lot of dentists fail to implement proper work/life balance strategies. If you do not want to end up regretfully looking back (as they say, no one’s tombstone said ‘I should have spent more time at work’, you should kill the practice before the practice kills you.
What About YOU?
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As dentists, we talk to our patients about the importance of a healthy smile. We lecture them on oral health. We urge them to take care 
of themselves. Doctors spend all day taking care of other people and other people’s families, but by the time they get home at night – they haven’t taken care of themselves.
Have you thought about yourself lately? When is the last time you had a quiet moment to yourself, time to take a walk or have a healthy meal (that wasn’t eaten while you were driving with the other hand)?
Check out: Killing the Practice Before It Kills You: How Throwing Out My Business Model Saved My Life. Before you, too, have a heart attack at 41.
Become a “Meat and Potato” Dentist
Posted by: | CommentsAfter I killed my dental practice, re-vamped my strategies, fired all of my employees and re-launched my practice, my life began to immediately improve. I had ample time to spend with my two daughters, my wife and myself. My dental practice was still operating in the top 5% of offices nationwide, so I knew I was doing something right.
Prior to my heart attack and the idea to kill my practice, I was performing every service and procedure in the book. I was not particularly passionate about denture procedures, but I performed them anyway.
When I re-launched my dental practice, I began practicing “meat and potato dentistry.”Most of our patients do not want, need or are willing to pay for high-end cosmetic procedures or full-mouth rehab. By realizing that my best strategy was to focus on being a family practice – the one that serves moms, dads, the kids, the grandparents and the neighbors – I could maintain simple, quality, comprehensive oral health care for my patients.
My final 5 years in practice were my most profitable. What services are you currently offering that only a handful of patients are taking advantage of? Is it costing you more to offer and market those services than you earn in profit?
What You Need to Know About Core Values (The Final Message in a 2-Part Series)
Posted by: | CommentsOn Tuesday, I discussed Core Values and why they are such an integral part of my book. I promised you more answers and here they are… (If you did not get to see Tuesday’s blog, )
How do you use Core Values? Every policy, manual and memo in the practice should be crafted around the Core Values. Team meetings workshops need to be held on a regular basis to discuss progress in applying the shared values. Post the Core Values on your website, print them on nice paper to leave in the reception area and discuss them in your marketing materials. This will certainly make you stand out from the dentist down the street.
Why do you need Core Values? It is important to work with a team of people whose Core Values reflect your own. If you have Core Values in place, it will make all business and personal decisions much easier to make.
When do you create Core Values?
Right now! This is the perfect time to create your core values as we enter into 2011, and you can begin your planning.
