![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dentalsuccesstoday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/f2fd8f06571fe09827ace5fcb31ec1d2.png\")
<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s true, we are creatures of habit. Even the most spontaneous minded person has the oddest idiosyncrasies that become routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The thing about habits is that most of them we just fall into. We don\u2019t even realize they are happening until pretty soon it\u2019s a daily routine, it\u2019s a word we use all the time, it\u2019s gestures or responses or even thoughts we have frequently. Habits sneak up on you and then you feel stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They say habits are hard to break just like habits are hard to make. A catch 22 like no other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is but one solution when you make the decision to change and improve\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Repetition<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When done the right way again and again, you form new habits and you elevate your performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve all heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit. It\u2019s been said enough by enough people I suppose it must be true. Though I would tell you, human nature, it\u2019s just as easy to break the habit on day 22 as it was on day 18 \u2013 unless \u2013 you are determined to fight the urge, resist the temptation, and power through it with strong conviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the past several weeks, it is quite possible you\u2019ve created both some good and some not so good habits. All of which can change \u2013 the good and the bad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key will be to keep the good ones and to break the bad ones in order to stay centered in your \u2018back to normal\u2019 life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m here to tell you, if you aren\u2019t already \u201cback,\u201d you are going to love the feeling of being a part of your team, serving your patients, and otherwise contributing to make an impact on others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might find it a little uncomfortable at first or you might even lack a little confidence or forget some of the important things that you\u2019ve worked on so much for so long. Don\u2019t worry \u2013 you will do fine \u2013 in fact you will do great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It will just take some repetition to get back into the swing of things and you\u2019ll find your stride once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is my challenge for you today, both inside and outside of the practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In your personal life, it\u2019s so important to train your mind to focus on the positive by reinforcing enriching thoughts of yourself and those around you every single day. It\u2019s called positive self-talk and I don\u2019t know anything more valuable to your mental health than this. It is the foundation for your confidence and belief in yourself. It gives you the energy to fight through challenges and to stay the course on decisions you make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professionally, there are so many ways we sabotage ourselves with little habits we let get in the way of the successful outcomes we would otherwise create. There are the handling of insurance in dentistry, the diminishing of treatment, the transactional rushing through a visit versus the personal engagement with a patient, the skipping of pictures, the phone calls unanswered, the prejudging patients\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I could go on with either part of your life, instead it\u2019s your turn to set yourself up for success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make a proactive list of the habits you want to keep, the new habits you want to create, and the habits you want to eliminate. While this is relevant at all times in your life, it more important now as result of the \u201creset\u201d we\u2019ve been through and the \u201crestart\u201d you are experiencing now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you get back into your practice and work routine, remember your confidence will grow with every patient you see, with every action you take, with every day you successfully accomplish your goals, and every time you know you are being your best self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n