- Published on
Love sets us apart, both at home and at work. It is essential to the excellent practice of dentistry.
Living with love is an essential part of REAL life. Read about it in Dr Chris' book, REAL.
This blog is called Love and Orthodontics. Why? Because love makes the difference.
Dr Chris Baker practices at the Advanced American Dental Clinic in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
An excellent book on business management that takes love into consideration is Michael E. Gerber's The E-Myth Dentist.
Love is what sets us apart - in business, in relationship, in encounters, in family, in learning, in teaching, in situations, in catastrophe, in governing, in leadership, in selling, in buying, in living.
Dr. Edward and Dr. Sara, married dentists, had practiced for several years in their beautiful dental office at one of the Hospital Professional Buildings in their Midwestern town. One day they got notice that their lease was being recalled, because the hospital would be putting new "corporate doctors" into the offices of the professional building.
Those few years ago, medicine and medical practices were increasingly being “bought up” and “managed” by insurance companies - big corporations who typically ran the love in medicine right out the door.
A commodity is a marketable something produced to satisfy needs or wants. Orthodontic treatment is a commodity. A root canal treatment is a commodity.
“The commodity isn’t what’s important — the way it’s delivered is.”
~ Michael E. Gerber
A product is something that is the result of an action or process - the way your commodity is delivered. This is what Institutional Dentistry knows nothing about.
If you are selling only a commodity, you’re in the competition club. That’s where the lowest price wins.
But if you are selling the unique and valued product of love, you are rare. Your patients value your business because they think there is no close substitute -- and they are right.
Your business should have love, joy, caring, and gratitude as its products. Big institutions, such as corporations and government, do not provide these products of love.
Institutional medicine / institutional dentistry’s product is not love.
However, it can and should be OUR product that we individual dentists provide in OUR practices. This is a product where we can be very different from the “norm” and have folks waiting in droves at our door. This is a product that can transform lives. This is a product that can make our business stronger and successful, so we can transform even more lives.
Our website is called Love and Orthodontics – but why? Because love makes the difference.
Love is what life is really about. That’s why it leads to success and happiness, in business, in relationship, in encounters, in family, in learning, in teaching, in situations, in catastrophe, in governing, in leadership, in finances, in selling, in buying, in living
Love is what sets you apart, makes life worthwhile, and makes your work worth everything. See each and every one you encounter, as a brand new opportunity to fall in love.
By the way, Dr. Edward and Dr. Sara took the opportunities to love with them to their new office location. Life is great. Life is rewarding. Love is their life.
Patients often say “I used to love my dentist, but he retired. So, I went to the new dentist in the practice, and it just wasn’t the same. And I can’t even put my finger on what is different Something is missing."
Undoubtedly it is love.
Here’s an example about how you can provide love in your practice.
This story is about a boy named Sachi and what happened in a phone call from his mom. Sachi had come with his dad, for an orthodontic examination the day before. Now my receptionist came to say Sachi’s mom was on the phone and she wanted to talk to Dr Chris.
I picked up the call and greeted her with love and enthusiasm. She began: Sachi’s exam was a second opinion to another orthodontic exam. (I did not know that.) She went on to explain that the previous exam had not made them feel comfortable and they came searching a second opinion.
“Thank you for the opportunity to meet your family. Second opinions are important; it is important that you can find what makes you comfortable. God gives children parents with a sixth sense about what sounds and seems “right” for their child. Go with that. I was honored to see Sachi and share my thoughts.”
She said she her husband and her son were very comfortable with me and they wanted me to treat him.
“Thank you - I am honored to treat him.”
She replied, “ That’s the difference between you and the other doctor. You are honored to treat him, and the other doctor seemed to think we should be honored for him to treat my son.” (And she told me our fee was higher than the other doc’s fee!)
Takeaway lessons: love and be genuine. Readily express love in a genuine, professional manner to parents and their children.
See each and every one you encounter, as a brand new opportunity to fall in love.
Dr. Edward and Dr. Sara, married dentists, had practiced for several years in their beautiful dental office at one of the Hospital Professional Buildings in their Midwestern town. One day they got notice that their lease was being recalled, because the hospital would be putting new "corporate doctors" into the offices of the professional building.
Those few years ago, medicine and medical practices were increasingly being “bought up” and “managed” by insurance companies - big corporations who typically ran the love in medicine right out the door.
A commodity is a marketable something produced to satisfy needs or wants. Orthodontic treatment is a commodity. A root canal treatment is a commodity.
“The commodity isn’t what’s important — the way it’s delivered is.”
~ Michael E. Gerber
A product is something that is the result of an action or process - the way your commodity is delivered. This is what Institutional Dentistry knows nothing about.
If you are selling only a commodity, you’re in the competition club. That’s where the lowest price wins.
But if you are selling the unique and valued product of love, you are rare. Your patients value your business because they think there is no close substitute -- and they are right.
Your business should have love, joy, caring, and gratitude as its products. Big institutions, such as corporations and government, do not provide these products of love.
Institutional medicine / institutional dentistry’s product is not love.
However, it can and should be OUR product that we individual dentists provide in OUR practices. This is a product where we can be very different from the “norm” and have folks waiting in droves at our door. This is a product that can transform lives. This is a product that can make our business stronger and successful, so we can transform even more lives.
Our website is called Love and Orthodontics – but why? Because love makes the difference.
Love is what life is really about. That’s why it leads to success and happiness, in business, in relationship, in encounters, in family, in learning, in teaching, in situations, in catastrophe, in governing, in leadership, in finances, in selling, in buying, in living
Love is what sets you apart, makes life worthwhile, and makes your work worth everything. See each and every one you encounter, as a brand new opportunity to fall in love.
By the way, Dr. Edward and Dr. Sara took the opportunities to love with them to their new office location. Life is great. Life is rewarding. Love is their life.
Patients often say “I used to love my dentist, but he retired. So, I went to the new dentist in the practice, and it just wasn’t the same. And I can’t even put my finger on what is different Something is missing."
Undoubtedly it is love.
Here’s an example about how you can provide love in your practice.
This story is about a boy named Sachi and what happened in a phone call from his mom. Sachi had come with his dad, for an orthodontic examination the day before. Now my receptionist came to say Sachi’s mom was on the phone and she wanted to talk to Dr Chris.
I picked up the call and greeted her with love and enthusiasm. She began: Sachi’s exam was a second opinion to another orthodontic exam. (I did not know that.) She went on to explain that the previous exam had not made them feel comfortable and they came searching a second opinion.
“Thank you for the opportunity to meet your family. Second opinions are important; it is important that you can find what makes you comfortable. God gives children parents with a sixth sense about what sounds and seems “right” for their child. Go with that. I was honored to see Sachi and share my thoughts.”
She said she her husband and her son were very comfortable with me and they wanted me to treat him.
“Thank you - I am honored to treat him.”
She replied, “ That’s the difference between you and the other doctor. You are honored to treat him, and the other doctor seemed to think we should be honored for him to treat my son.” (And she told me our fee was higher than the other doc’s fee!)
Takeaway lessons: love and be genuine. Readily express love in a genuine, professional manner to parents and their children.
See each and every one you encounter, as a brand new opportunity to fall in love.
- Published on
One of the best books in print about dental practice management is Michael E. Gerber's "The E-Myth Dentist."
Dr Chris practices orthodontics in both the USA and in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (above).
Written for parents, Dr Chris' book, Your Child's Smile, is also used as a dental school textbook for its thorough, well-researched information.
Great advice for people in every profession can be found in Jim Rohn's "Twelve Pillars."
Another photo of downtown Abu Dhabi, where Dr Chris practices.
A fun fact from Dr Chris: Lucy Hobbs Taylor (1833-1910) was the first female dentist in the USA. Today, slightly more than half of all American dental students are women. Without a doubt, Dr Taylor had no headaches from working with insurance companies!
So how can you enjoy your practice more? How can you begin to take control of the business of your practice? The answer lies in working ON your practice, as well as IN your practice. One place to begin is to wrest control of your income from the insurance companies.
Contemplate the fact that insurance companies in today’s world really function as managers of most of the dental practices into which they are allowed. How can you become the real entrepreneur and manager of your own business?
Remember, as Jim Rohn explains, ”if you don't have a plan for your life, you fall into somebody else's plan.” Know what they have planned for you – taking as much money from your practice as possible.
You’ve got to begin minding your own business. You’ve got to start somewhere. Here’s a suggestion.
Review all insurance companies with whom you work. Categorize them into:
Once your patient has consented to treatment, it is their responsibility to pay on the day of service. It is the responsibility of the dental insurance carrier (a third party) to directly reimburse the patient for the portion of the procedure that is covered. The actual contract is between the patient, usually as an employee and the insurance company.
Even if the patient makes the mistake of believing that the contract is between the dentist and the insurance company, it is not. You must be clear on that and let the patient know your expectations BEFORE treatment is begun. A written contract between you and the patient or parent is recommended.
Assignment of benefits to you costs you a heavy financial and most undesirable burden in your practice, most especially when you multiply it by hundreds of patients.
Outstanding over-the-top dental and orthodontic care, is your privilege, honor, and responsibility. It is based on a relationship between you and the patient, without interference from third parties.
When the payment is made by the patient, it is a clear statement that they are taking an active interest in their dental health, their loyalty is to you, and that they value your service.
Stay out of the relationship between the patient and their insurance carrier and employer. Make your relationship with the patient fantastic, based on outstanding, over-the-top dental and orthodontic care.
Contemplate the fact that insurance companies in today’s world really function as managers of most of the dental practices into which they are allowed. How can you become the real entrepreneur and manager of your own business?
Remember, as Jim Rohn explains, ”if you don't have a plan for your life, you fall into somebody else's plan.” Know what they have planned for you – taking as much money from your practice as possible.
You’ve got to begin minding your own business. You’ve got to start somewhere. Here’s a suggestion.
Review all insurance companies with whom you work. Categorize them into:
- Managed care plans (HMO, PPO, EPO, POS, Medicaid and Medicare) that you have contracted with to pay you for the patient care
- insurance companies from whom you accept payment directly, but have no contract with them.
- Which reimburses at the lowest rates for your typical billed procedures. And, then, which is next lowest, and so forth.
- Which uses the most amount of staff time (and staff numbers) for filing, paperwork, appeals, etc. You may be paying 5 or 6 staff members just to do paperwork to get low reimbursements. This may be a loss-center for your practice that is masquerading as income.
- How much total income each brought into your practice over the last year.
- Reassign the patients in one or more plans to associates, as you prepare to transition the practice to free-market dentistry (no insurance participation) as soon as is feasible.
- Spend your time minding your own business, prioritizing all managed care and government health insurance strategem, Medicaid and Medicare, and then study your contracts to see when you can release them or opt out. Your goal is to get out of the insurance business and stop letting the insurance companies take your money.
- Study the insurance plans that you accept direct payment for the insurance portion. Even if you’re not a participating member of the PPO or other plan, you will be waiting longer for your money, spending more on staff to prepare and file claims, log in payments, and communicate with the insurance companies. For orthodontics, you may be waiting for quarterly payments or even every six months payments. You’re working for free for a long time. That means the insurance companies are the ones collecting interest on your money. And that interest is not in your practice or family’s bank account and will not ever be!
- Pay a staffer to sit for 1/2 to 1 or more hours on the phone trying to facilitate payment of an insurance amount? It is somewhat typical for a staff member to be on the phone with an insurance company representative who is located out of the country - typically India or the Philippines, for 30 to 60 minutes at a time, concerning one claim which still may not be paid. Ever. And - how much do you pay that staff member per hour?
- Write a “by report” for an insurance billing - after it’s already been returned for ‘more info’, and you spend time explaining the ‘medical necessity’, only to be rejected for payment. How much should you be making per hour? You just cost yourself twice that by a) not treating another patient during that time, and b) wasting your time writing such nonsense that the insurance company may or may not accept.
- Think of communicative tools that are as manipulative as “usual and customary fee?” Whose usual? Whose customary? What on earth does that mean? Let me translate: It means, “These words make the patient think if you are over the ‘usual and customary’ fee, your fee is somehow exorbitant and improper. “ Several recent legal cases have shown that the UCR utilized by insurance companies was neither valid, accurate nor reliable. (Davekos v Liberty Mutual Ins. Co, NY Atty General and Ingenix UCR database, “which was shown to downwardly manipulate the data,” McCoy et al. v Health Net et al and others.)
- Wait amazing amounts of time while the insurance gathers interest on YOUR money?
- Have patients who carry two insurances, one for the husband and one for the wife, and find that the “secondary” insurance company denies any payment because the “primary” insurance company has already paid some of the billing, and the secondary insurance company’s small print in the contract pays nothing further. (Even if the patients pay for 2 insurance coverages.) And you’ve waited for your payment, never to come, then have to bill the patient and wait some more - possibly never to come.
- Accept a credit card payment for which you pay a percentage
Once your patient has consented to treatment, it is their responsibility to pay on the day of service. It is the responsibility of the dental insurance carrier (a third party) to directly reimburse the patient for the portion of the procedure that is covered. The actual contract is between the patient, usually as an employee and the insurance company.
Even if the patient makes the mistake of believing that the contract is between the dentist and the insurance company, it is not. You must be clear on that and let the patient know your expectations BEFORE treatment is begun. A written contract between you and the patient or parent is recommended.
Assignment of benefits to you costs you a heavy financial and most undesirable burden in your practice, most especially when you multiply it by hundreds of patients.
Outstanding over-the-top dental and orthodontic care, is your privilege, honor, and responsibility. It is based on a relationship between you and the patient, without interference from third parties.
When the payment is made by the patient, it is a clear statement that they are taking an active interest in their dental health, their loyalty is to you, and that they value your service.
Stay out of the relationship between the patient and their insurance carrier and employer. Make your relationship with the patient fantastic, based on outstanding, over-the-top dental and orthodontic care.
- Published on
This is a BIG deal - dentists do not get an MBA in dental school. They typically do not even get so much as a course in business. Dental school is not designed to teach dentists how to run a business. Dental or medical school is designed to train doctors to care for patients.
Perhaps the best book in print right now on the business of operating a dental practice is Michael E. Gerber's "The E-Myth Dentist."
To be successful (and that is defined differently for each person), we must have a growing business.
Author Jim Rohn wrote, "If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much."
"The whole problem with dentist-as-employee versus dentist-as-business owner, is that in our dentist-as-employee role, we want and expect the salary for the job done, but really hate to have to look at what the costs are and what monies are needed to run the business, including investment capital for growth. " -- Dr Chris Baker
The best book on pediatric dental care and health of children is Dr Chris Baker's "Your Child's Smile."
Dental school prepares us to be technically capable. Just how capable and outstanding is up to us. With time and work IN our practices, and with continuing education, we can grow, learn and sharpen our skills.
However - and this is a BIG deal - we do not get an MBA in dental school. We do not even get so much as a course in business. Dental school is not designed to teach us how to run a business. Dental or medical school is designed to train doctors to care for patients.
And many to most of us end up in private practice. Guess what that is? A business.
A dental practice is a business that most of us don’t see as a business. We see it through our eyes of caring for our patients, as — get ready for this — a place to “do” dentistry and make a living. That is what it should be.
However, without the dentist having some training and education in how to run a business, the practice can become:
- an overwhelming amount of work for a doctor who has to work to manage the business-end of things after hours and on weekends. Some of you are spending 60 or more hours a week total, trying to get it all to work.
- a siphon for the practice’s hard-earned money to flow to insurance companies, dental suppliers, patients who do not pay promptly or at all, landlords, banks, and the government.
- a job for you that takes most of your free time away from your family, not to mention your emotional well-being and peace of mind.
- stress, stress, stress.
Most dentists do things backwards. We are first, technical experts in our profession; second, a manager of our business; and third, an entrepreneur. We need to switch that around, but our passion lies in the first, technical expertise.
We went into dentistry to “do” dentistry. Yet we can enjoy the dentistry even more when the management and entrepreneurship are “up front”, well-handled and flowing.
So here we are, in our practice, and… If you, as the dentist, are thinking of yourself as a dentist-as-employee, that mentality often lets the insurance companies in. These companies love to take the job and salary of a “manager.”
Contemplate the fact that insurance companies in today’s world really function as managers of most of the dental practices into which they are allowed.
As Jim Rohn so beautifully explains, ”if you don't have a plan for your life, you fall into somebody else's plan.” Guess what they have planned for you – taking as much money from your practice as possible.
To be successful (and that is defined differently for each person) we must have a growing business. To have a growing, successful business, we must work on our practice, and not just in our practice (as the technician).
Understand, there are plenty of other people and businesses who have great plans for the money you earn in your practice, and it’s not just the insurance companies. It includes the suppliers (dental supply companies), the government (Medicaid and Medicare), the patients (who do not pay their bills - on time or at all).
Another example of others who have great plans for the money earned by dentists are corporate dental companies and their executives. With student loan debt skyrocketing, young dental school graduates are working for corporations as employees, working unbelievably hard, for less compensation than should be for the work being done. And, these corporations typically make millions.
As dentists, our personalities tend to be overly giving to the point that we hurt ourselves and our families. We seem to think that, in some way, we shouldn't be charging for our services, or that we should charge, but just not too much. What is that about?
I think it's about our natures, which tend to be approval-addicted, as we attempt to love and care for everybody we can.
We hire staff members and expect them to carry out our wishes, and don't even have a system in place so they know exactly what that those wishes and systems are. First, it shouldn't be our wishes, but rather the needs of our business that determines what they do. Second, we need to have this all systematized, so that the staff members know what it is is expected of them.
The whole problem with dentist-as-employee versus dentist-as-business owner, is that in our dentist-as-employee role, we want and expect the salary for the job done, but really hate to have to look at what the costs are and what monies are needed to run the business, including investment capital for growth.
The scariest growth is growth that occurs and requires more capital, more employees, supplies, and equipment — and we have no monies available. So we take it from our families, our living. Or, that growth potential falls flat on its face.
We don’t get this stuff in dental school, and then we find ourselves in business without a good understanding of our business. Yes, you are dedicated to learning and growing in dentistry. But you could use some mentoring, help. advice, on systematizing and learning to work ON your business, as well as IN your practice.
Start with the book by Michael E. Gerber, The E Myth Dentist. It’s a great read. Then, think about topics like free-market dentistry, how to transition from being “under the thumb” of insurance companies to being in the “free market”, (Can you get out of insurance and have a great practice? - YES), how to take control of your practice, how to have everything you need to be congruent with what you want to do.
Management, marketing and finances all depend on your vision - what you want, first and foremost, from and in your practice.
There are answers. They lie in learning more about your business. You’ll actually spend less time ON the business when you start understanding more about it, and can even spend less time IN your business as well, without giving up your hard-earned living. I’ve done it. I’ve systematized. I have lots and lots of systems and plans already documented that can be shared. I’ve seen the results.
You know what? Most dentists live their practice lives on other people’s terms - those of insurance companies, staff, family members, colleagues. Their days are spent achieving other people’s goals and working toward other people’s agendas. Be one of the five percent who don’t.
Right now, you have the choice — step forward into growth and development through self-education, or step backwards into apparent safety and security, which are only apparent. You’re either growin’ or you’re dyin’.
Don’t get pulled into other people’s stuff that doesn’t serve you well!
There are other people working ON this practice and business stuff. Want a book list? Want recommendations for GREAT seminars? Want to be part of the Mastermind group to share and learn more about this, through email, online, in person, etc.? Contact me. There are so many great things going on; ideas, mentorship and structure. In the meantime, get The E-Myth Dentist, and read it, then read Gerber’s The Most Successful Small Business in the World, Jim Rohn’s The Twelve Pillars.
However - and this is a BIG deal - we do not get an MBA in dental school. We do not even get so much as a course in business. Dental school is not designed to teach us how to run a business. Dental or medical school is designed to train doctors to care for patients.
And many to most of us end up in private practice. Guess what that is? A business.
A dental practice is a business that most of us don’t see as a business. We see it through our eyes of caring for our patients, as — get ready for this — a place to “do” dentistry and make a living. That is what it should be.
However, without the dentist having some training and education in how to run a business, the practice can become:
- an overwhelming amount of work for a doctor who has to work to manage the business-end of things after hours and on weekends. Some of you are spending 60 or more hours a week total, trying to get it all to work.
- a siphon for the practice’s hard-earned money to flow to insurance companies, dental suppliers, patients who do not pay promptly or at all, landlords, banks, and the government.
- a job for you that takes most of your free time away from your family, not to mention your emotional well-being and peace of mind.
- stress, stress, stress.
Most dentists do things backwards. We are first, technical experts in our profession; second, a manager of our business; and third, an entrepreneur. We need to switch that around, but our passion lies in the first, technical expertise.
We went into dentistry to “do” dentistry. Yet we can enjoy the dentistry even more when the management and entrepreneurship are “up front”, well-handled and flowing.
So here we are, in our practice, and… If you, as the dentist, are thinking of yourself as a dentist-as-employee, that mentality often lets the insurance companies in. These companies love to take the job and salary of a “manager.”
Contemplate the fact that insurance companies in today’s world really function as managers of most of the dental practices into which they are allowed.
As Jim Rohn so beautifully explains, ”if you don't have a plan for your life, you fall into somebody else's plan.” Guess what they have planned for you – taking as much money from your practice as possible.
To be successful (and that is defined differently for each person) we must have a growing business. To have a growing, successful business, we must work on our practice, and not just in our practice (as the technician).
Understand, there are plenty of other people and businesses who have great plans for the money you earn in your practice, and it’s not just the insurance companies. It includes the suppliers (dental supply companies), the government (Medicaid and Medicare), the patients (who do not pay their bills - on time or at all).
Another example of others who have great plans for the money earned by dentists are corporate dental companies and their executives. With student loan debt skyrocketing, young dental school graduates are working for corporations as employees, working unbelievably hard, for less compensation than should be for the work being done. And, these corporations typically make millions.
As dentists, our personalities tend to be overly giving to the point that we hurt ourselves and our families. We seem to think that, in some way, we shouldn't be charging for our services, or that we should charge, but just not too much. What is that about?
I think it's about our natures, which tend to be approval-addicted, as we attempt to love and care for everybody we can.
We hire staff members and expect them to carry out our wishes, and don't even have a system in place so they know exactly what that those wishes and systems are. First, it shouldn't be our wishes, but rather the needs of our business that determines what they do. Second, we need to have this all systematized, so that the staff members know what it is is expected of them.
The whole problem with dentist-as-employee versus dentist-as-business owner, is that in our dentist-as-employee role, we want and expect the salary for the job done, but really hate to have to look at what the costs are and what monies are needed to run the business, including investment capital for growth.
The scariest growth is growth that occurs and requires more capital, more employees, supplies, and equipment — and we have no monies available. So we take it from our families, our living. Or, that growth potential falls flat on its face.
We don’t get this stuff in dental school, and then we find ourselves in business without a good understanding of our business. Yes, you are dedicated to learning and growing in dentistry. But you could use some mentoring, help. advice, on systematizing and learning to work ON your business, as well as IN your practice.
Start with the book by Michael E. Gerber, The E Myth Dentist. It’s a great read. Then, think about topics like free-market dentistry, how to transition from being “under the thumb” of insurance companies to being in the “free market”, (Can you get out of insurance and have a great practice? - YES), how to take control of your practice, how to have everything you need to be congruent with what you want to do.
Management, marketing and finances all depend on your vision - what you want, first and foremost, from and in your practice.
There are answers. They lie in learning more about your business. You’ll actually spend less time ON the business when you start understanding more about it, and can even spend less time IN your business as well, without giving up your hard-earned living. I’ve done it. I’ve systematized. I have lots and lots of systems and plans already documented that can be shared. I’ve seen the results.
You know what? Most dentists live their practice lives on other people’s terms - those of insurance companies, staff, family members, colleagues. Their days are spent achieving other people’s goals and working toward other people’s agendas. Be one of the five percent who don’t.
Right now, you have the choice — step forward into growth and development through self-education, or step backwards into apparent safety and security, which are only apparent. You’re either growin’ or you’re dyin’.
Don’t get pulled into other people’s stuff that doesn’t serve you well!
There are other people working ON this practice and business stuff. Want a book list? Want recommendations for GREAT seminars? Want to be part of the Mastermind group to share and learn more about this, through email, online, in person, etc.? Contact me. There are so many great things going on; ideas, mentorship and structure. In the meantime, get The E-Myth Dentist, and read it, then read Gerber’s The Most Successful Small Business in the World, Jim Rohn’s The Twelve Pillars.
- Published on
Each morning, write down three things you are grateful for. It will make a difference in your day.
Begin your day with success
- and have a fantastically successful day!
Make your bed - start your day with accomplishment.
Meditate / pray - connect with your Divine Self.
Exercise - walk or yoga, or other workout - 20 or 30 minutes.
Write at least three gratitudes - for your amazing life!
Write your daily goals - even if you wrote them yesterday, and the day before!
Drink about 24 ounces of clean, filtered water. (Check out Berkey water filters - healthful water quality, no disposable filters, inexpensive. My family uses them.)
Then go out and love everyone you meet!
Your day will be fantastic!!
Love,
- and have a fantastically successful day!
Make your bed - start your day with accomplishment.
Meditate / pray - connect with your Divine Self.
Exercise - walk or yoga, or other workout - 20 or 30 minutes.
Write at least three gratitudes - for your amazing life!
Write your daily goals - even if you wrote them yesterday, and the day before!
Drink about 24 ounces of clean, filtered water. (Check out Berkey water filters - healthful water quality, no disposable filters, inexpensive. My family uses them.)
Then go out and love everyone you meet!
Your day will be fantastic!!
Love,
- Published on
Aspiring to build the world's tallest building in a small country in the Middle East took vision, even during an economic downturn. Making it a reality -- Dubai's Burj Khalifa -- took dedication.
Walt Disney was turned down by 302 banks before finally getting a "yes" for the funds to build Disneyland. Persistence paid off.
Though broke at the age of 65, Col. Harland Sanders persisted in pursuing his dream. He founded KFC, a worldwide restaurant chain.
"Once you make a decision, the Universe conspires to make it happen."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
1. Dream Big! What is your dream, your vision?
2. Decide to believe. This is commitment - this is your magic!
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.” ~ Henry Ford
Let the fear go.
Find your courage.
Repeat.
"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
~ Walt Disney
Being courageous doesn’t mean you’re unafraid. It means acting in spite of your fear!
For this little story, you need to know that after twenty-something years as a pediatric dentist, I can tell you that MOST children are NOT afraid of their dental appointments. Most, like us adults, would rather be doing something else, but they are not afraid.
BUT - there are some who literally quiver and show their fear. To those, I say, after their appointment, “You are courageous. You are brave. You know how I know? You did your appointment even though you were nervous! That’s brave!”
Being courageous is acting IN SPITE OF YOUR FEAR!
Take action. Do it! Repeat.
Get up every morning and start. Get up early. Repeat. Every day.
"If you talk about it it’s a dream, if you envision it, it’s possible, but WHEN you schedule it, it’s real.” ~ Tony Robbins
Get inspired by others.
Someone first had a dream to build the tallest building in the world in a small Arabian country - THEN the Burj Khalifa was built. Nothing could have been built without someone’s dream!
Never, EVER give up. Never quit.
Someone first had a dream to make Southwest Airlines into a viable airline, and DIDN’T QUIT! Despite massive challenges, Herb Kelleher had to really believe, let the fear go, and act. And then repeat, repeat, repeat.
Walt Disney had a dream to build Disneyland. More than three hundred banks turned him down! But he kept going!
At age 65, Harland Sanders’ restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky had to be closed because the new Interstate 75 passed over it so people no longer stopped there. Colonel Sanders had some savings and $105 per month in Social Security. Sleeping in the back of his car, he traveled to many restaurants and tried to get them to have him cook great chicken. But, no one wanted him to cook for them.
By the time Sanders was 73 years of age, young businessman John Y. Brown, Jr., bought the “finger-lickin’ good” KFC business from the Colonel and his wife Claudia. Sanders kept going. And going. and going. You can too!
By the way, competition helps you measure yourself and makes you stronger and better at what you are doing! Embrace competition and do YOUR PERSONAL BEST ALWAYS!
“The difference in winning and losing is most often… not quitting.” ~ Walt Disney
"So many brilliant people gave up in life; they were totally brilliant, they were top of their class, they were the best students, they were the best of everything. They gave up.
"I've seen others who really didn't have talent or ability and they're among the most successful people today in the world because they never quit and they never gave up.” ~ President Donald J. Trump
Get a new life. Get rid of TV and other bad habits. Make your moments fantastic, full and wonderful!
Be grateful.
The more gratitude you create and live with, the more you will have for which to be grateful!
Trust. And live in amazement as the Universe conspires to help you achieve your dream.
“Once you make a decision, the Universe conspires to make it happen.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
2. Decide to believe. This is commitment - this is your magic!
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.” ~ Henry Ford
Let the fear go.
Find your courage.
Repeat.
"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
~ Walt Disney
Being courageous doesn’t mean you’re unafraid. It means acting in spite of your fear!
For this little story, you need to know that after twenty-something years as a pediatric dentist, I can tell you that MOST children are NOT afraid of their dental appointments. Most, like us adults, would rather be doing something else, but they are not afraid.
BUT - there are some who literally quiver and show their fear. To those, I say, after their appointment, “You are courageous. You are brave. You know how I know? You did your appointment even though you were nervous! That’s brave!”
Being courageous is acting IN SPITE OF YOUR FEAR!
Take action. Do it! Repeat.
Get up every morning and start. Get up early. Repeat. Every day.
"If you talk about it it’s a dream, if you envision it, it’s possible, but WHEN you schedule it, it’s real.” ~ Tony Robbins
Get inspired by others.
Someone first had a dream to build the tallest building in the world in a small Arabian country - THEN the Burj Khalifa was built. Nothing could have been built without someone’s dream!
Never, EVER give up. Never quit.
Someone first had a dream to make Southwest Airlines into a viable airline, and DIDN’T QUIT! Despite massive challenges, Herb Kelleher had to really believe, let the fear go, and act. And then repeat, repeat, repeat.
Walt Disney had a dream to build Disneyland. More than three hundred banks turned him down! But he kept going!
At age 65, Harland Sanders’ restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky had to be closed because the new Interstate 75 passed over it so people no longer stopped there. Colonel Sanders had some savings and $105 per month in Social Security. Sleeping in the back of his car, he traveled to many restaurants and tried to get them to have him cook great chicken. But, no one wanted him to cook for them.
By the time Sanders was 73 years of age, young businessman John Y. Brown, Jr., bought the “finger-lickin’ good” KFC business from the Colonel and his wife Claudia. Sanders kept going. And going. and going. You can too!
By the way, competition helps you measure yourself and makes you stronger and better at what you are doing! Embrace competition and do YOUR PERSONAL BEST ALWAYS!
“The difference in winning and losing is most often… not quitting.” ~ Walt Disney
"So many brilliant people gave up in life; they were totally brilliant, they were top of their class, they were the best students, they were the best of everything. They gave up.
"I've seen others who really didn't have talent or ability and they're among the most successful people today in the world because they never quit and they never gave up.” ~ President Donald J. Trump
Get a new life. Get rid of TV and other bad habits. Make your moments fantastic, full and wonderful!
Be grateful.
The more gratitude you create and live with, the more you will have for which to be grateful!
Trust. And live in amazement as the Universe conspires to help you achieve your dream.
“Once you make a decision, the Universe conspires to make it happen.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Published on
Those with a personal commitment to excellence live life differently than most.
The best of the best, whether dentists, nurses, teachers, surgeons, lawyers, preachers, salesmen, musicians, soldiers or sailors, athletes, gardeners, artists, all do some things differently than most everybody else.
And they end up the best of the best.
And happier.
• They decide to live their dreams.
• They set goals and review them very frequently, at best, daily.
• One of their goals is CANI - Constant and Never-Ending Improvement
• They do course correction. If things aren’t working, they change their strategy a bit, and don’t assume it will never work. They don’t give up. Their goals await.
• They believe in possibility.
• They are actively grateful.
• They smile - a lot.
You can be one of the best of the best. Go for it!!
Love,
And they end up the best of the best.
And happier.
• They decide to live their dreams.
• They set goals and review them very frequently, at best, daily.
• One of their goals is CANI - Constant and Never-Ending Improvement
• They do course correction. If things aren’t working, they change their strategy a bit, and don’t assume it will never work. They don’t give up. Their goals await.
• They believe in possibility.
• They are actively grateful.
• They smile - a lot.
You can be one of the best of the best. Go for it!!
Love,
- Published on
Orthodontics treatment is much more complex, different and difficult than what many young patients assume. A doctor dedicated to his or her craft puts much education, study and experience into each orthodontic case he or she treats.
Dr. Chris Baker's book, "Your Child's Smile" is the best parent guide for their child's oral health. It has also been used as a dental school textbook.
Orthodontics is the practice of the realities of moving teeth through bone over a period of time.
This past week, we had two high school students who are interested in dentistry spend the days with us in internships. They came in each morning and would spend about half of our office hours with us.
The students encountered orthodontics from a totally different perspective than what they experienced when they were our patients. They both agreed, very surely, that orthodontic treatment seemed much more complex, different and difficult than they had assumed when they were patients.
Isn’t that the way life works?
Perception varies according to the view through which we see it. It’s like looking into a room from a window on one side and seeing one part of the room -- and then from the other side, the view through a different window makes the room seem totally different.
What we regard is often limited by what we know and see.
To a teenager having braces treatment, the experience is one without much visual awareness of what is being done with those braces. While they're sitting in the dental chair, their minds are full of schoolwork, classmate matters, family matters, athletic and other activities of that evening, and so on.
The patient's awareness of what we are doing with the “hardware” of orthodontic appliances is minimal. Once the appointment is completed, they can “get back” to their “real life.”
But seeing us work with the realities of moving teeth through hard, mineralized bone was a different matter for our high school interns.
Think of a bone. It is miraculous that by placing the right force in the right direction on teeth, we can move teeth through that seemingly impenetrable, dense structure.
And, amazingly, the bone restructures and remodels itself to complete its presence around the tooth in the new position.
Our interns learned that we cannot move one tooth without anchoring somewhere, somehow to other teeth. They found out that it is a challenging, mechanical, engineering process to accomplish a bite that will work and last for almost a hundred years, and provide a smile that will charm, comfort, engage, and communicate the soul within.
Our interns were impressed with the time the human body requires to allow teeth to move, and to remodel the bone -- and why it takes the time. The human body is dynamic - always changing. It is not static - staying the same.
Orthodontic changes are not guaranteed; they are not totally predictable; they are not stable over time without retention, because of the dynamic properties of the muscles, speech, habits, tongue position, tooth clenching or grinding, eating, biting, opening, closing and even wear of the teeth.
Plus, a growing patient adds the challenge of growth changes to what we are working to do for them.
We were glad to share with two young people who wanted to understand more about what dental care can offer to each person.
We look forward to their joining the professionals who provide that care.
The students encountered orthodontics from a totally different perspective than what they experienced when they were our patients. They both agreed, very surely, that orthodontic treatment seemed much more complex, different and difficult than they had assumed when they were patients.
Isn’t that the way life works?
Perception varies according to the view through which we see it. It’s like looking into a room from a window on one side and seeing one part of the room -- and then from the other side, the view through a different window makes the room seem totally different.
What we regard is often limited by what we know and see.
To a teenager having braces treatment, the experience is one without much visual awareness of what is being done with those braces. While they're sitting in the dental chair, their minds are full of schoolwork, classmate matters, family matters, athletic and other activities of that evening, and so on.
The patient's awareness of what we are doing with the “hardware” of orthodontic appliances is minimal. Once the appointment is completed, they can “get back” to their “real life.”
But seeing us work with the realities of moving teeth through hard, mineralized bone was a different matter for our high school interns.
Think of a bone. It is miraculous that by placing the right force in the right direction on teeth, we can move teeth through that seemingly impenetrable, dense structure.
And, amazingly, the bone restructures and remodels itself to complete its presence around the tooth in the new position.
Our interns learned that we cannot move one tooth without anchoring somewhere, somehow to other teeth. They found out that it is a challenging, mechanical, engineering process to accomplish a bite that will work and last for almost a hundred years, and provide a smile that will charm, comfort, engage, and communicate the soul within.
Our interns were impressed with the time the human body requires to allow teeth to move, and to remodel the bone -- and why it takes the time. The human body is dynamic - always changing. It is not static - staying the same.
Orthodontic changes are not guaranteed; they are not totally predictable; they are not stable over time without retention, because of the dynamic properties of the muscles, speech, habits, tongue position, tooth clenching or grinding, eating, biting, opening, closing and even wear of the teeth.
Plus, a growing patient adds the challenge of growth changes to what we are working to do for them.
We were glad to share with two young people who wanted to understand more about what dental care can offer to each person.
We look forward to their joining the professionals who provide that care.
- Published on
You are doing it. You are fielding life’s stuff.
The world doesn’t always work the way you want it to. Stuff happens.
And when it happens, your seeds of possibilities begin to grow.
In disappointment and distress are the seeds of wisdom - and the seeds of despair and grief.
In despair are the seeds of acceptance, personal growth and gratitude - and the seeds of helplessness and more despair.
In grief there are the seeds of love, compassion and growth - and the seeds of devastation and hopelessness.
In growth are the seeds of appreciation, gratitude and joy.
In gratitude and joy is the seed of fulfillment and love.
Our expectations and willingness shape these possible sequels to what happened. What we think - feel - do, when stuff happens, determines which seed grows.
Love,
The world doesn’t always work the way you want it to. Stuff happens.
And when it happens, your seeds of possibilities begin to grow.
In disappointment and distress are the seeds of wisdom - and the seeds of despair and grief.
In despair are the seeds of acceptance, personal growth and gratitude - and the seeds of helplessness and more despair.
In grief there are the seeds of love, compassion and growth - and the seeds of devastation and hopelessness.
In growth are the seeds of appreciation, gratitude and joy.
In gratitude and joy is the seed of fulfillment and love.
Our expectations and willingness shape these possible sequels to what happened. What we think - feel - do, when stuff happens, determines which seed grows.
Love,
- Published on
You must set goals for yourself. You cannot "hit a target" if you don't know where it is.
Émile Coué de la Châtaigneraie (1857 – 1926) was a French psychologist and pharmacist who introduced a method of psychotherapy and self-improvement based on optimism. Coué's teachings have influenced many writers, such as Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller.
When you think about it, you have been doing the best you can. Everyone always does.
YET — what would you need to change to do differently — and better?
This week, Claude and I thought out the basic fundamentals of doing “better” than what has been our “best,” up to now.
What would we need to change to do differently?
Here they are:
ONE: You must set goals for yourself. You cannot “hit a target” if you don’t know where it is.
TWO: Give yourself time. You can’t change your result immediately, but you can change your direction immediately. You can begin moving in the direction of your dream - right now!
Remember that it is the tiny little productive actions, repeated consistently over time — that add up tot he difference between failure to reach your goal, and success.
The challenges that seem overwhelming today are actually opportunities.
Steve Harvey says, “Your setback is just a set-up for a comeback.”
Change yourself by changing your philosophy - your beliefs - through your thoughts.
Decide to believe you CAN do it.
Think, “Difficult takes a little time; Impossible takes just a little longer.”
Think, ”There is a way to do it.”
Think, “Every day, in every way, I’m doing better and better. Every day, in every way, I’m happier and happier. Every day, in every way, I’m stronger and stronger.” ~ It was Emile Coue de la Chataigneraie (that's his photo, on the left), who said it first in French, “Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux.”
Every time you have a disappointment, think, “Disappointment has reminded me. I have the opportunity to change my beliefs. I can see this as opportunity to move toward my dream.”
As you change, everything around you will change too.
Truly.
Love,
YET — what would you need to change to do differently — and better?
This week, Claude and I thought out the basic fundamentals of doing “better” than what has been our “best,” up to now.
What would we need to change to do differently?
Here they are:
ONE: You must set goals for yourself. You cannot “hit a target” if you don’t know where it is.
TWO: Give yourself time. You can’t change your result immediately, but you can change your direction immediately. You can begin moving in the direction of your dream - right now!
Remember that it is the tiny little productive actions, repeated consistently over time — that add up tot he difference between failure to reach your goal, and success.
The challenges that seem overwhelming today are actually opportunities.
Steve Harvey says, “Your setback is just a set-up for a comeback.”
Change yourself by changing your philosophy - your beliefs - through your thoughts.
Decide to believe you CAN do it.
Think, “Difficult takes a little time; Impossible takes just a little longer.”
Think, ”There is a way to do it.”
Think, “Every day, in every way, I’m doing better and better. Every day, in every way, I’m happier and happier. Every day, in every way, I’m stronger and stronger.” ~ It was Emile Coue de la Chataigneraie (that's his photo, on the left), who said it first in French, “Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux.”
Every time you have a disappointment, think, “Disappointment has reminded me. I have the opportunity to change my beliefs. I can see this as opportunity to move toward my dream.”
As you change, everything around you will change too.
Truly.
Love,
- Published on
About 12 years ago, Dr Chris Baker and her husband were stranded in Seattle. With a view of Mt. Ranier from their hotel room, they decided to use the day to write down their future goals. The results would change their lives. (Photo by Dave Menke. Wikimedia Commons image)
One of America's greatest business philosophers was Jim Rohn. His "7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness" gives excellent goal-setting guidance.
A change in flight scheduling caused Dr Chris and her husband Claude to be "stranded in Seattle" for an extra day after a CE course. The extra day spent in that city would change their lives.
One morning about 12 years ago, Claude and I found ourselves in a small hotel, our window overlooking Mt. Rainier in Seattle.
We had missed a flight after a CE course, and while we needed to get home to patients and family, there was no way to do that. The Universe had other plans.
There we were with a gorgeous view of the snow-capped mountain, a couple of juicy delicious peaches and some cheese we had bought at Pike Place Market, sitting at our little desk-repurposed table.
Many mentors and leaders in personal development talk about writing your goals down. They say it's an important exercise.
So, we wrote out our goals for the immediate future, and for one year, five years, 10 years and 20 years into the future. We wrote goals in categories; health, our relationship, each child, personal achievements, career and business, wealth, playtime, hobbies, adventure and travel, contribution and spirituality. Each one was stated as our desired goal, “or better," because the Universe has a way of making it better.
Was it our view? The breezy perfect air on our walks about the hotel? The interaction together? The goals themselves?
Or was it the mystical energy we garnered in the experience and actions of all of that? No matter. We found ourselves more than excited, full of energy and expectation, and EVER SO GRATEFUL for the extra day we were “forced” to spend in Seattle. It is the stuff of all our dreams.
Then we wrote actions, daily disciplines toward each and every goal to get us going.
You know what? Those goals have almost all been met. They have come to pass or surpass! And we write new goals VERY frequently. And begin actions toward them.
Writing goals down does the following things:
1. You define your goals. You know your target. (Can’t hit a target if you have no idea where it is.) What would your goal be if you KNEW you could not fail?
2. You get excited about your goals. The feeling is amazing!
3. Your goals become approachable — and reachable.
Approachable means you start to crystallize what steps you can take to move toward the goals. You now have defined not only the end-point goal, but the steps you can begin to take.
Don’t worry and fret over the actions. Just begin. You can do course correction. It’s like a GPS “recalculating”.
This week - perhaps today - you can write ‘em down! Write rapidly. Again, don’t fret - just write. Keep it simple - no excess words - just the endpoint: “dream house. pool. Virginia.” Be a kid - no limits! Make it fun.
You’re on your way.
Love,
We had missed a flight after a CE course, and while we needed to get home to patients and family, there was no way to do that. The Universe had other plans.
There we were with a gorgeous view of the snow-capped mountain, a couple of juicy delicious peaches and some cheese we had bought at Pike Place Market, sitting at our little desk-repurposed table.
Many mentors and leaders in personal development talk about writing your goals down. They say it's an important exercise.
So, we wrote out our goals for the immediate future, and for one year, five years, 10 years and 20 years into the future. We wrote goals in categories; health, our relationship, each child, personal achievements, career and business, wealth, playtime, hobbies, adventure and travel, contribution and spirituality. Each one was stated as our desired goal, “or better," because the Universe has a way of making it better.
Was it our view? The breezy perfect air on our walks about the hotel? The interaction together? The goals themselves?
Or was it the mystical energy we garnered in the experience and actions of all of that? No matter. We found ourselves more than excited, full of energy and expectation, and EVER SO GRATEFUL for the extra day we were “forced” to spend in Seattle. It is the stuff of all our dreams.
Then we wrote actions, daily disciplines toward each and every goal to get us going.
You know what? Those goals have almost all been met. They have come to pass or surpass! And we write new goals VERY frequently. And begin actions toward them.
Writing goals down does the following things:
1. You define your goals. You know your target. (Can’t hit a target if you have no idea where it is.) What would your goal be if you KNEW you could not fail?
2. You get excited about your goals. The feeling is amazing!
3. Your goals become approachable — and reachable.
Approachable means you start to crystallize what steps you can take to move toward the goals. You now have defined not only the end-point goal, but the steps you can begin to take.
Don’t worry and fret over the actions. Just begin. You can do course correction. It’s like a GPS “recalculating”.
This week - perhaps today - you can write ‘em down! Write rapidly. Again, don’t fret - just write. Keep it simple - no excess words - just the endpoint: “dream house. pool. Virginia.” Be a kid - no limits! Make it fun.
You’re on your way.
Love,
