Dentists are healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, business pros. And dentists have goals, especially this time of year. Are you a dentist who knows how to make your goals reality?
New Year’s Resolutions
In 1997, research from an Internet study conducted by the University of Washington suggested that two months into the year, 63% of polled respondents had stuck to their resolutions. A UK-based website, nhs.uk, says that seven million of us will make New Year’s resolutions to improve our health. The most common self-promises include eat better, exercise more, stop smoking, and drink less alcohol.
Dentists’ New Years Resolutions
According to TheWealthyDentist.com, dentists’ top three personal resolutions include improving health, traveling, and losing weight. Professional resolutions include attracting more new patients, cutting expenses, and purchasing new equipment. Boosting Internet marketing came in at number four. If we look at what experts suggest for keeping personal resolutions, then apply those tips to our professional resolutions, it just makes sense that we stand a better chance of success.
Keeping Your Self-Promises
So what do the experts suggest? Google turned up more than five million sites about keeping resolutions. After reviewing the leaders on the list, I found that the tips are all about the same. They go something like this:
- Make one resolution that you really, really want to achieve, and be specific.
- Focus on a plan with reasonable action steps.
- Take baby steps toward achieving your goal. Don’t go overboard, and don’t go cold turkey.
- Get some support from friends, family, coworkers, and others with similar goals.
- Don’t be too upset with yourself if you fall off the horse. Just get back on and keep riding.
Sources and resources:
http://www.washington.edu/newsroom/news/1997archive/12-97archive/k122397.html
http://www.nhs.uk/magazines/healthychristmas/Pages/NewYearresolutions.aspx 5 tips
http://www.thewealthydentist.com/SurveyResults/045_NewYearsResolutions_Results.htm
http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2007/12/17/how-to-make-a-new-years-resolution-that-youll-actually-follow-through-with/
http://www.healthyminds.org/resolutions.cfm
http://www.mftrou.com/goal-setting-guide.html