Do's and don'ts for practice leadership: Thinking outside the practice

The day-to-day can be all-consuming. When you're in the practice, it's go, go, go! See Ms. Smith in operatory 1, confer with the hygienist, treat Mr. Wilson in operatory 2, check with the assistant, swing by the front desk, prep Mrs. Jones' crown in operatory 3, and so on. Some days, it's hard to catch your breath. That's why it's so important for dentists to find time to renew, and that means getting away from the office.

Take a vacation. It might sound crazy that I have to say this, but I've met too many dentists who haven't had a vacation in years. To be at your best, you need to get away from your practice for a week or more at least once a year. When you come back, you'll be re-energized and able to tackle challenges with renewed vigor.

Don't forget continuing education (CE). Have you completed your CE requirements for the year? If you haven't, now's a good time to schedule your training. Offsite seminars represent not only an excellent source of education but also renewal.

Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the founder and CEO of Levin Group, the leading dental practice consulting firm in North America. For the complete list of dates and locations where you can attend his latest seminar, visit www.levingroup.com/gpseminars.

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