Breaking out of the time crunch barrier

Editor's note: The Coaches Corner column appears regularly on the DrBicuspid.com advice and opinion page, Second Opinion.

I don't know a dentist alive who doesn't juggle hundreds of tasks, requests, problems, and issues every day. In fact, we dentists wear so many hats during any one day it's amazing we're even sane. Sometimes I wonder if I am!

The very sad news is that our wonderful profession can often turn into a daily chore … something we don't want to do, something we feel we HAVE to do, something we feel we MUST do, or else! I've worked with so many dentists who just want to go to work every day with a bag over their head. What a shame … and very real. These are dentists who really care, who really want to do a great job, dentists who are sensitive, compassionate, articulate, and love caring for people.

What happened? Why did they end up feeling so badly? More important, what can be done to dig out of that hole, to make going to work each day a fulfilling, inspiring, rewarding experience? What are the secrets of dentists who feel that way?

Here are a few characteristics of those dentists who find personal and professional rewards for being in practice, without the headaches -- and heartaches -- that can come from having too much to do and think about every day"

--They are great leaders. They have learned to delegate, to provide a clear direction for their team, and have an incredible vision for their practice and their life. They inspire others and are committed to their success.

--They live their life in integrity. Integrity can be simply defined as "wholeness". They always choose to do the right thing -- no matter what. The don't cut corners, lie, cheat, or steal, no matter what the cost is to their practice. Consequently, they always feel good about who they are and what they do.

--They spend plenty of time getting and being organized. If you're familiar with Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, they work in "Quadrant II", where planning, preparation, crisis prevention, and relationship building occurs. They have learned to prioritize tasks and to-do's.

Don Deems, D.D.S., F.A.G.D., known as the Dentist's Coach, is a co-founder of the Dental Coaches Association, an organization of dentists who are professional coaches committed to bringing professional coaching to the dental profession. Learn more about professional coaching by visiting www.dentalcoachesassociation.org.

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