The Either/Or Rule

Early in my career with The Dawson Academy I attended Pete’s course, How To Put Your Practice In The Top 10%.  During his presentation Pete showed a picture of his family on an Easter Sunday morning when his youngest was still an infant. Although 20 years had passed since that day, he told us that it seemed like the picture was taken just yesterday, and then gave sage advice about the choices that we make.

His advice included putting family and relationships ahead of money.  He talked about how to take a vacation every year that didn’t involve a dental meeting.  He called it the Either/Or rule you either spend more time in the office making money to accumulate more things, or you spend that time doing the things you love with the people you love.

Pete taught much more than this, but suffice it to say that I listened and my life is better because of his wisdom.  Can you think of any other profession where a leader who is looked up to for technical competence also provides life changing personal lessons as well?

I can’t begin to count the times a dentist has come to Pete and thanked him for changing his or her life.  Yes, they thank him for what they learned clinically, but the moving stories of how Pete’s advice resulted in a happier and more fulfilling personal life are the stories that will forever stand out in my memory.

Don’t Forget to Have a Work/Life Balance!

My ‘Work’ highlight of 2013. In May, I was on location for the launch of The Dawson Academy Japan. Our Japanese partner, Dr. Naoki Hatano is a fantastic dentist committed to elevating the practice of dentistry in his country. It is an absolute pleasure and honor to work with him and his team.

My ‘Life’ highlight of 2013.

In September, I became a first time grandmother when my son and his wife welcomed their daughter into the world. As many of my friends have shared, there is nothing like being a grandparent and I am incredibly blessed to have them living here in St. Petersburg.

What do your highlights look like?

Open your smart phone or tablet and look through your photos from the past 12 months. I think you will find as I did, that there were some good times in 2013.

And Pete was right, they all feel like they were taken only yesterday.