On Oct. 7, 2023, I set out to run 60 miles to raise $6,000 for a nonprofit. I completed the event in 12 hours and raised over $7,200. My goal with this course is to inspire attendees with lessons that I learned from this endeavor and teach them how they can be better dentists.
Lesson 1: Set ambitious goals. Architect Daniel Burnham said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood.” When I set my goal, I was intimidated. I knew it would take a lot of work, training, learning and planning. The same goes for dental offices — if we set a goal to buy our first practice, learn to place implants or hit $1.5 million in collections next year, it’s intimidating. An ambitious goal will motivate you to pursue what is truly important.
Lesson 2: The power of plus one percent. As of Feb. 26, 2022, the furthest I had ever run was five miles. A mere 231 days later, I completed my first ultra marathon (55 miles). In 231 days, I was able to beat my best 11 times over. I am not saying that your crown prep is going to get 11 times faster in the next year, but do not underestimate the power of constantly improving by 1%. Have the humility to look at your work, your practice and your life and think, “How can I improve by a little bit today?” The progress may astound you.
Lesson 3: Stop listening to yourself, and start talking to yourself. The entire last 30 miles, I had the mantra: “Don’t quit when you’re tired; quit when it’s done.” There will be days at the office when you will be tired, you’ll have to do things you don’t want to do or have difficult conversations you don’t want to have. The ability to complete the mission on days when you’re tired or you “aren’t feeling it” will lead to great results.
Learning Objectives:
Formulate inspiring ambitious goals.
Apply the principle of “plus one percent” to the practice of dentistry as well as to your daily life.
Strengthen self-talk to handle the daily challenges of dentistry.