It is the official time to celebrate our Independence. Yet, I believe we can celebrate this every day. This is not just about our country, it is about our way of life.
You wake up each day deciding what to eat, what to wear, how to get to work, where to work and just about every other decision you make in your life is possible because of the independence we have.
Take time out to make sure people in your family are reminded about the significance of this and how important it is. It isn’t something that happens to you, it is something you have to take responsibility over.
Independence doesn’t guarantee you anything other than the opportunity to choose to take action for yourself to make the most of every day you have been given.
So often in Dentistry, we forget that we too are independent to choose how to practice, what to stand for, the philosophy we serve our patients with and the principles by which to conduct our business.
We have control over fees, protocols, type of patients and even schedule. Really, almost every part of our profession is in the hands of the people who care for the patients.
Of course, you wouldn’t know this if you listened to everyone around you. Only if you talked and mingled with the most successful people.
While others are complaining, champions are taking action. While losers are thinking of all the excuses and forces against them, winners are taking responsibility and doing something.
This week, to celebrate your independence in practice, discuss with each other where you have let preconceived ideas, outside influence or past experience get in the way of what makes you great. Where have you accepted or settled for things that you don’t have to?
Make this list and go to work to resolve each item with new decisions, fresh expectations, renewed commitments and free yourself from old habits or complacency.
You deserve better, and your patients will come out on top too. When you put your independence first, it gives them more confidence in you and you give them higher quality care and experiences.
