that promote well-being. Here are a few tips to help you embark on your journey of selfimprovement: Start your day with intention: Begin each day by setting a clear intention. This could involve setting specific goals, visualizing success, or simply focusing on a positive mindset. Practice mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, into your daily routine. Mindfulness can help reduce stress, increase focus, and enhance overall well-being. Prioritize self-care: Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. This could include anything from reading a book to taking a relaxing bath or spending time in nature. Surround yourself with positivity: Spend time with people who uplift and inspire you. Positive relationships can have a significant impact on your mental and emotional health. Celebrate your small wins: Acknowledge and appreciate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Recognizing your progress can boost your motivation and keep you moving forward. The Power of Virtues The ancient philosophers understood the importance of cultivating virtues to lead a fulfilling life. Modern psychology has also confirmed the link between virtue and wellbeing.3 By embodying virtues such as wisdom, courage, love, and gratitude, we can enhance our overall quality of life. Putting Virtues into Action in a Dental Practice As dental professionals, we have a unique opportunity to apply these virtues in our daily work. Here are a few examples: Wisdom: Continuously seek knowledge and stay updated on the latest dental techniques and research. Make informed decisions by considering all options and potential consequences. Seek advice from mentors and colleagues to gain valuable insights. Courage: Step outside your comfort zone by taking on new challenges and opportunities for growth. Speak up for what you believe in and advocate for your patients. Face your fears and overcome obstacles with resilience. Love: Show compassion and empathy for your patients by treating them with kindness and respect. Build positive relationships with your colleagues and foster a collaborative work environment. Give back to your community by volunteering your time and skills. Zest: Approach your work with enthusiasm and passion. Find joy in what you do and celebrate your successes, both big and small. Maintain high energy levels by prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Gratitude: Express appreciation for your patients, colleagues, and opportunities. Practice mindfulness and gratitude to focus on the present moment and appreciate what you have. Give back to others by sharing your blessings. Hope: Maintain a positive outlook for the future and believe in the possibility of positive change. Set goals and work towards them to stay motivated. Surround yourself with positive influences who inspire and uplift you. Curiosity: Ask questions, seek new knowledge, and explore different perspectives. Be open to learning and growth, and view setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. By embodying these virtues, all members of a dental team can create a more fulfilling and meaningful daily life and overall career. The success lies in implementing small achievable goals using realistic solutions that are backed by science. Radical changes to routine are unlikely to gather the results that people are looking for. A key factor in increasing wellbeing is consistency in the application of new knowledge and strategies. Small and consistent steps towards the overall well-being goal are the most certain way to ensure success. When the well-being of a dental team is prioritized, the effects are wide-reaching, positively impacting the lives of the team’s patients. Patients certainly notice and feel the energy and positivity of a dental practice that focuses on well-being. The ultimate return on a well-being investment is multifaceted. Happy patients recommend the practice to their friends. The referral power of satisfied patients is priceless. The productivity of the practice increases both at an individual team member and practice level. The people within the practice feel energized and empowered, often seeking to further their expertise and learn new skills. Feeling good is infectious, and the desire for total well-being spreads throughout the practice and further into the homes of the team members. Remember, the journey of self-improvement is a lifelong process. Beginning by embracing the power of daily renewal and cultivating positive habits is a powerful starting point from which you can unlock your full potential and live a life of joy, purpose, and fulfillment. 1 Bellet, Clement. “Does Employee Happiness Have an Impact on Productivity?” SSRN, 17 October 2019, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_ id=3470734. Accessed 10 October 2024. 2 Neale, Palena. ““Serious” Leaders Need Self-Care, Too.” Harvard Business Review, 22 October 2020, https://hbr.org/2020/10/serious-leaders-need-self-caretoo. Accessed 10 October 2024. 3 Jurist E, Greenberg D, Pizziferro M, Alaluf R, Perez Sosa M. Virtue, well-being, and mentalized affectivity. Res Psychother. 2023 Dec 31; 26(3):710. doi: 10.4081/ripppo.2023.710. PMID: 38189466; PMCID: PMC10849072. AUTHORS’ BIO: Dr. Karen Tindall and Dr. Laura Schwindt are seasoned dentists and certified life coaches who founded The Mint Door. They believe that true success in your dental practice starts with prioritizing the well-being of the entire team. They partner with dental professionals who understand that a thriving business is built on a foundation of personal and collective wellness. Through providing customized well-being solutions The Mint Door understands the unique needs of busy dentists and their teams to create a business where everyone feels valued, sported, and energized. Dr. Tindall and Dr. Schwindt are delivering their innovative in person workshop: Maverick Mindset: Break the Burnout Cycle and Soar Above the Ordinary Elevate Your Team’s Potential – Take Off to New Heights of Success and Well-being! at the 2025 GDA Convention & EXPO. Contact The Mint Door: [email protected] | 17 Jan 2025
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