If You Don’t Believe In You, No One Else Can!

By Dr. Rhonda R. Savage, DDS

“When we choose a goal and invest ourselves in it to the limits of our concentration, whatever we do will be enjoyable.  And once we have tasted this joy, we will redouble our efforts to taste it again.  This is the way the self grows”.  Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Describe a time when you took a risk.  What was the result?  In many practices that I’ve consulted in, the honest answer to the question was:  “At this point in my life, I’m having stressful issues (family, work, personal).  I don’t take risks. Getting myself out of bed in the morning, getting dressed, and getting myself to work is about all the risk I want to take, thank you very much!  If you’ve felt like this, you are not alone.  A full 50% of our dental population is more comfortable not taking risks.

Of all that influences us in our lives, I would daresay its “attitude”. With a great attitude, anything is possible!  My outlook on life changed during those tough teenage years, but not so much that I believed I could actually accomplish great things. I was afraid to take risks. After all, I might “mess up!”  I chose not to attend college after high school and instead landed a job in a dental office.  That was so stressful!  There was so much to learn, with all the instrument names and procedures it was like learning a foreign language. The first 6 months were the toughest.  Everyday, I would march up the stairs to the dental office, with a nauseous pit in my stomach that hit the minute I would smell those dental smells! After six years in the practice, though, working at the chair and front desk, I wanted to do more.  I loved working with patients and I wanted to become a dentist.  It seemed an impossible dream…8 years of school and no money, but I chose the goal and was willing to take the risk!

It’s easier to procrastinate than to embrace change. Eleanor Roosevelt once said:  “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” How many of you believe this?  I know this is true!  Many of us wish our practices were different.  How can you change this?

Start by recognizing the qualities of a leader:

• Has a great understanding of people
• Imaginative
• Accepts responsibility; doesn’t pass the buck
• Is not satisfied with status quo
• Is organized
• Stays calm in the face of a crisis
• Takes risks
• Is secure and not defensive; is open to criticism
• Stays flexible
• Has team spirit
• Accepts change

Think about the last time you took a risk. Do you need to stretch your limits again?  What have you done recently that’s outside your comfort zone? Focus on leadership development, which is a lifelong practice.  Read leadership books and listen to audio CD’s when you’re commuting.  Most importantly, remember that if you don’t believe in you, no one else can!