Orthotown November 2023 - 14

BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Everything orthodontists do is
planned for a successful outcome
according to our terms of success.
Sometimes we're so focused on
how we want our lives to transpire,
we completely miss alternative
better endings.
year? In three years? In 10 years? Let's plan it out.
But first, ask yourself this question: " In one year,
I will be satisfied if ... " " In three years, I will be
beyond ecstatic if ... "
Let's write our goals. Measure those goals.
Then be thankful for our victories.
Some talking points
* Gratitude. First, let's be thankful for what we
have now. One, five or 10 years ago, we badly
wanted the things we have today. Today you
have them. " I just want to get into dental
school. ... I just want to get into orthodontic
residency. ... I just want to have a nice car. ...
I just want my own practice. ... I just want to
feel like I am successful. " Find a safe, quiet
place where you can count your blessings.
I find that my morning drive to work is the
perfect place to acknowledge all the things
in my life I'm thankful for.
* What do you want-really? specifically?
We all have goals, but have you specified
what you really want? You want more
money? How much? You want to travel?
Where? How long? When? You want more
time for yourself. How much? To do what?
* Lower your expectations and be flexible to
a myriad of outcomes. Sometimes life turns
out better than you could have planned it.
Tell yourself, " It is this or something better! "
This is hard for orthodontists-everything
we do is planned for a successful outcome
according to our terms of success. Sometimes
we're so focused on how we want
our lives to transpire, we completely miss
alternative better endings.
* Don't worry about what others think about
you and don't stress about what others
are doing. Comparison is the thief of joy.
You are running your own race. Focus on
winning the day and being the best version
of yourself.
* What was the best day of your life? Do all
the things you did that day again! Find the
things that make you happy and do more of
those things. Do more of the things in life
that give you happiness and purpose and
fewer of the things that take away from that.
*
There is no such thing as a neutral human
interaction. It's either positive or negative.
The things you do, the choices you make, the
thoughts you have will either make things
better or make things worse. Be conscious
of that.
* Be genuinely happy for others, both publicly
and privately. Others' success is not your failure;
in fact, there is so much to learn about
happiness by celebrating others! There is a
human energy cycle. Your thoughts, positive
or negative, will return in the same form and
attract more of that.
* Protect your energy. There are plenty of
Negative Nellies who want to drag you down
with them. Surround yourself with people
who support your positive mental state and
don't be afraid to let the others go. You can't
be there for those who need you if your mental
state isn't at its best.
* The highs and lows are a part of life-
embrace them. It's hard to appreciate the
NOVEMBER 2023 | 14 | ORTHOTOWN.COM
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Orthotown November 2023

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