I would be the first to admit that about every 5 years I find myself having to transform to adapt to a new challenge or reality. Sometimes not so much, but it all stems from a “whatever it takes” attitude when it comes to the business of dentistry. For most of us, we are faced with habits that limit our growth. They are usually subtle, but even if just a few degrees off will make you miss the target altogether. I want to take an even half-dozen Michaelisms and apply them to the hindrance of needing to break the habit of being yourself. When you are done with change, you’re done. (Bold type means another Michaelism.)
- Holding a Limiting Belief: Each of has a “deserve meter”. Sometimes it carries us through tough times. However, most of the time it limits the scope of what you are able to do. Each of these Michaelisms are forged from trial and error. They are shaped and polished by repeatedly being tested in the practices I have owned and dentists I have trained. Each person needs to take a hard look at anything that you believe enough to prevent you from trying something new. These limiting beliefs, if held long enough, become truth to you. If you operate from a belief that is untrue and limiting, you will always sabotage yourself when success comes up against this limiting belief. It’s time to reset your vision, and step around any belief that limits its execution. Like the old Nike ad: Just do it.
- Lack of Consumerism: By denial or ignorance, too many dentists will not embrace the fundamental truth that Dentistry is a small consumer business where the potential client is the only person that decides where they spend their money and exactly what they spend it on. Basically, if you are not remarkable in the patients’ eyes, if your message and methods don’t complement one another, you will be doomed to mediocrity in dentistry. As obvious as the nose on your face, demographic denial forms the foundation for failure in dentistry. This element of demographics is driven by the type of consumer you have in your marketplace. Location, demographics, hours, financing, services, practice strategy, leadership, and team assimilation all will determine the reaction consumers will have for you and your practice.
- Thinking your job is doing Dentistry. This is a little counter intuitive, or maybe just a little challenging to understand. Too often when asked what we do, we think of the high level of clinical dentistry we can perform. Perhaps even the excellence in a crown or filling. Being able to give painless profound anesthesia, and in part, they all are important. Yep, there is a “but” coming. BUT patients are not paying you to do just dentistry. They are looking for someone with great people skills. Someone to be a friend in dentistry. Your job isn’t just doing dentistry; it is serving the public in such a way as to inspire them to want what you have to give them. This is a night and day difference from just being a great clinician. It reaches way down to where the rubber meets the road of human needs. Stop thinking of Dentistry as a trade and understand that you are far more than that, if you are successful.
- Lack of Action: Simply said: there is no learning without application. It’s almost common to find dentists who read, listen to lectures, watch continuing education, and yet never really change what they do. Their intentions are pure, and they intend to fit this into their daily routines, but nearly always fall short. I would not be surprised if a Gallup Poll quantitatively proved that less than 10% of dentist’s educational knowledge is ever acted on. Sure, we beat ourselves up for not applying what we learned, but most never whole heartedly break the habit of being themselves. This is the point where you sit back and commit to breaking old habits and creating a whole new reality for yourself. Is it the fear of failure that prevents us from trying or doing? Surely it’s not that we really think we are doing so well that we don’t need to adapt and try something else, right?
- Financial Captivity: Too much debt. There is no good debt unless it is short term (less than 24 months), and its return on investment is well over 15% a year. In the age where dentists start their careers with an average of $300,000 to $500,000 in school debt, futures can easily spiral out of control. It is as if dentists today think debt is normal for their entire career. They live their life and business constantly paying the bank. Debt is the tax on your future earnings. Entitlement and instant gratification are twin thieves that rob you of your financial future. Your goal in life should be to make more profit, eliminate debt, save and invest for passive income, and do not ever let “lifestyle suck” guide your future. Take back the future right now and control your spending while increasing your savings. Too many live their ideal lives far beyond their ability to earn enough to finish well. I have said this before but as dentists, you have the power and money to have anything you really want in life. You just can’t afford everything you want in life. Be careful what you choose.
- Poor Clinical results/skill. There is an epidemic when it comes to recent dental graduates leaving dental school with inadequate training and absolutely not ready for the dental profession. On the other hand, we have a large percentage of dentists who graduated, struggle with jobs and ownership and have resigned their career to being just “OK”. The “average dilemma”, where a majority of dentists have stopped learning and adapting to the needs of having a superior practice is probably one of the worst strategies I can think of.
As we look at the six points that can hold us back from a successful future, it is paramount to self-diagnose our shortcomings. Be a realist and understand that anything worth pursuing is up hill. It is always hard to be the best you can be. Take up the handpiece and embrace a life of constant and never-ending learning and application.
Face it, there is a constant battle between the person you are and the person you could become. How you see yourself and where you see your practice, both now and in the future, will create a lasting legacy at the end of your career. Now is the time to rewrite the average ending and move towards a Super General Dental Practice. Today is the point at which each of you break the habit of being yourself so you can create a new reality for your future.
Michael Abernathy DDS
972.523.4660 cell
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