September 19, 2006

What You Need to Know...   June 23, 1976 I walked the stage, shook hands with the dean, and received my doctor of dental medicine degree from Washington University in St.  Louis, MO.  That was 30 years ago.  Looking back on my career I realize that there were 10 things I needed to know before I started to drill and fill.  If you are not a dentist, no problem, these ten tips are generic to all professions.   Top 10 Tips You Need to Know When Starting Your Dental Career or any Other Career:   GET BUSINESS TRAINING.  Your career is your business so learn the business of it. FIND A MENTOR.  You don't know what you don't know.  Partner with an established professional from your field whom you admire and then return the favor to the younger generation when you are established. LEARNING NEVER ENDS.  Continuing education is the lifeblood of your practice and personal growth breeds life into your life.  Do not get stale. GET INVOLVED.  Network with others in your field.  Become involved in your community, church, and children's schools.  Get your name out there.  Give of yourself. DO NOT TRY TO BE ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE.  It's a no-win situation and you'll burn yourself out trying.  REMEMBER THAT NO EMPLOYEE OR PATIENT IS INDISPENSABLE.  If you forget, ask someone to remind you that no employee or patient is indispensable. TAKE CARE OF YOU.  You are often so busy taking care of others as a business owner that you forget to take care of you.  Care for yourself first so that you can care for others. BE GRATEFUL.  Be grateful for your chosen profession, what you are capable of doing, and what you have.  Be blessed and never take life for granted. KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.  Life is grand.  Be optimistic, smile, and spread cheer wherever you go. PLAY.  Get out from behind your work and play.  Often.        "Learning is the beginning of wealth.  Learning is the beginning of health.  Learning is the beginning of spirituality.  Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins."             Jim Rohn   "I found every single successful person I've ever spoken to had a turning point.  The turning point was when they made a clear, specific unequivocal decision that they were not going to live like this anymore; they were going to achieve success.  Some people make that decision at 15 and some people make it at 50, and most people never make it at all."             Brian Tracy   "We must all wage an intense, lifelong battle against the constant downward pull.  If we relax, the bugs and the weeds of negativity will move into the garden and take away everything of value."             Jim Rohn        I had a blast partying this past weekend with my dental school classmates at our 30th reunion.  Many people I had not seen since graduation and it was wonderful to reconnect and hear the many paths they have taken.  I heard stories of families, practices, and new horizons. Reminiscing was the highlight as we shared memories of our three years together, and I do mean together.  From hours in the pre-clinical lab working on those darn ivorine teeth to hours in the clinic and the adjoining lab we shared a bond that can not be broken.    My class shared its 30th, and my husband John shared his 25th reunion with classmates of the same dental school.  We just went back and forth between the parties and had a grand time.  There was a moment of sadness as the class of 1946 (60 years) was introduced at the banquet and my father was unable to attend because of his Alzheimer's and John's father is deceased.  Yes, they were classmates long ago.    Sixty years would bring me to 2036.  I'll be there, God willing.   Have a fantastic week and remember what you need to know.   Stephanie   P.S.  Do you have any topics, ideas, or questions you would like to see in The Balance Beam?  E-mail me with your greatest challenges.  drszh@7steps2abalancedlife.com        We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com