Is your practice major league or minor league?

Spring has finally arrived, and with baseball season starting up, now is a great time to ask yourself an important question: Is your practice batting in the majors or is it stuck in the minors? Let's compare the differences between those who have progressed to the majors and those still in the minors.

• Minor league practices have tons of ideas, are excited about all of them, and see none to fruition.
• Major league practices have tons of ideas, pick a few, and do their best to make them happen.

• Minor league practices are always gathering information but can never get things started.
• Major league practices know that sometimes you have to "Ready, fire, aim!"

Richard H. Madow, DDS, and David M. Madow, DDS.

• Minor league practices are always worried about the practice down the street.
• Major league practices embrace their colleagues and network with them.

• Minor league practices think they know everything.
• Major league practices are always learning.

• Minor league practices are made up of individuals who all scramble for credit.
• Major league practices are truly a team.

• Minor league practices bitch and moan about things they can't change.
• Major league practices accept the everyday headaches, change what they can, and aren't bothered by the rest.

• Minor league practices blame outside forces when things go wrong.
• Major league practices use failure as a learning experience.

• Minor league practices say, "We've always done it that way."
• Major league practices ask, "How can we do this better?"

• Minor league practices pinch pennies when it comes to team compensation, continuing education, and marketing.
• Major league practices know where to save money and where to spend it.

• Minor league practices see their work as a way to earn money so they can enjoy the other parts of their lives.
• Major league practices have fulfilling lives outside of dentistry but also enjoy enriching the lives of their patients.

• Minor league practices believe in instant success.
• Major league practices know anything worth accomplishing takes time, and what might look like overnight success is rarely such.

• Minor league practices get their required continuing education credits at the mediocre local meeting, don't learn much, get bored easily, and never improve.
• Major league practices attend informative seminars, actively participate and listen, and eagerly share what they've learned with their team members.

• Minor league practices have "a crown prep in room 3."
• Major league practices are truly interested in their patients and treat them accordingly.

• Minor league practices interrupt.
• Major league practices listen.

• Minor league practices demonstrate their bile -- they get frustrated or angry, and it's easy to see.
• Major league practices are cool, calm, and collected.

If you've been wallowing in obscurity on the farm team, it's never too late to get called up to "the Show." Take a look at your current practices. If you've got more errors than hits, it's time to step up your game. Call a locker room team meeting and give an inspirational game-day pep talk! Then maybe take your team out for a hot dog and a beer.

In 1989, Richard H. Madow, DDS, and David M. Madow, DDS, founded The Madow Brothers with the goal of helping their fellow dentists achieve success and happiness in their practices. For more information about their e-letters, audio series, New Patient Mail marketing program, Dental Powerhouse group, their live presentations (including "How To Love Dentistry, Have Fun, and Prosper," "The Ultimate Dental Boot Camp," and especially "TBSE"), and more, check them out at www.madow.com.

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.