What did you celebrate this Thanksgiving? Were you able to come up with a list of things you are grateful for in this crazy year we have had? If you haven’t thought about it, I encourage you to do so. I know this year has brought many challenges and has been exceedingly difficult for many. It is extremely easy to focus on what is wrong with your life and with the world for that matter. I would like to encourage you to look at what is right and what you are grateful for. This is what we should be focusing on as we go into 2021.
What are you grateful for? I have heard about people that write about one thing they are grateful for every morning. What a great way to keep your focus on the good that is in your life. This is something I started doing a couple weeks ago and hope to keep up with throughout the year. I would encourage you to do the same. It really does put things in perspective for you. Be specific about your list. Don’t just say “family”. Put that you are grateful your kids are healthy, or your husband helped you do the dishes. Be specific. I am looking forward to looking back on this list in later days. I think it will tell a wonderful story.
It is easy to lose our focus on the good things that life brings, especially with all the craziness we hear in the news these days. It seems everything is negative or wrong in this world. We have to shift our focus! That was my motto for 2020-FOCUS. Well, it didn’t turn out exactly the way I planned, and I am sure it hasn’t for you either, but I do have a renewed focus on my business and my life. 2020 gave us some time to do that didn’t it. We have all heard the saying “What you focus on grows” …what are you focusing on? Therefore, I encourage you to focus on the good things in your business as well as life in general. That is what we want to grow.
What is right in your business right now? Let’s think about some things that may be going right:
Are you still working? This is something a lot of people in the world are not able to do right now. Be grateful!
Have you been able to open your doors and see patients again? Most offices have and that is wonderful. I just encourage you to remember that other businesses are not as lucky so we should be happy we are able to get back to business.
Do you have a good team? Are they coming to work with a good attitude and working to create the best day possible? This is not always the case so please enjoy it when it is occurring in your practice.
How was your production the past few months? Are you coming back since the shutdown? Our offices are making the production up that was lost by keeping their eye on their goals. Keep it going!
Is your schedule full? If not, is your team working to keep it that way? Maybe your schedule isn’t full but your team is working doing everything they can to get it full. That is a task in itself and we need to acknowledge that they care enough to fill the schedule.
I know 2020 is difficult to appreciate, but…do it anyway. Find the things in your life and at the office that you are grateful for and celebrate that. Once you focus on the positives you will be much happier and so will everyone around you. Be the one to spread the joy this season.
Janice Janssen, RDH, CFE, Consultant
At age 14, Janice Janssen got an after-school job working for her dentist. Twenty-something years later, she is the co-founder of Global Team Solutions and an expert in practice consulting.
Besides hands-on experience, Janice has gained professional recognition for her hard work and commitment to excellence. She is co-author of OMG! Office Management Guide, the “bible” used in GTS training workshops. She is a member of the Academy of Dental Management Consultants (ADMC), and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), which positions her as an expert in educating dentists to deter fraud and embezzlement in their practice.
Janice can be reached at: janice@gtsgurus.com