What are the biggest vision errors, or lack of vision errors, that dentists make later in their careers?

As I work with fellow dentist owners at all stages in their career, I am struck by the level of complacency that occurs. Somehow, we forget we are running a 100 yard Dash and let up before the finish line! If you are going to be truly successful you need to reach plateaus in your practice life and then re-dream and reset for the next goal.

We as dentists and clinicians learn about new techniques, new materials, and new services for our patients through study. As business owners, there are many rules and regulations we must stay current with and comply to stay within legal boundaries. There is no resting on your laurels if you are a dental practice owner. Nobody said being a successful practice owner was going to be easy, but if you do it right it will be the most fulfilling and rewarding part of life you will have.

The most detrimental Vision Error is to lose focus on your dream or your vision of what success means to you. For some, success  is a monetary goal and for others it is a lifestyle. Being able to financially be secure for retirement, healthy enough to enjoy travel or pursuing your next chapter with choices is a common dream for most of us.

Your Vision is similar to setting out a road map to a destination. If you were to travel by car from Los Angeles and want to arrive in New York, you would plan this journey carefully. There would be many factors to consider such as time, points of interest you may want to experience longer, cuisine choices, and hotel accommodations. You would also choose the people you would like to take with you. Most people plan their next vacation more thoroughly than the journey of their practice life and its success. Avoid the error of not planning and charting out how you will reach your definition of success.

A common vision error later in a dentist’s career life is not visualizing their next chapter. Think through what interests you would like to pursue when you have more time away from the practice. Whether you want to bring in an Associate to purchase or just to give you time out of the office, have you created a Vision for that scenario? Does your practice have curb appeal to attract the best possible dentist to fit into your philosophy of care? Do you have State of the Art equipment so you and the other dentist can provide the services that the public is expecting from their dentists? Visualize the transition process and prepare with strategic planning and expert assistance.

To avoid vision errors, don’t get complacent and fail to grow yourself. Stay in the game and have the intention to complete the race—you want to go out at the top of your game!

Revisit your Vision daily-modify as you reach goals—and then re-dream and create a new Vision!